This October, Sadler’s Wells Associate Artist Alesandra Seutin brings Mimi’s Shebeen, her collaboration with KVS (Royal Flemish Theatre, Brussels), to Sadler’s Wells East in its UK premiere.
The roots of Mimi’s Shebeen trace back to Seutin’s childhood, where she was captivated by her mother’s renditions of Miriam Makeba’s iconic music, especially the soulful “Novema.” Known as “Mama Africa,” Miriam Makeba, a legendary South African music artist and civil rights activist, was exiled from her homeland due to her fierce anti-Apartheid activism. Her legacy, celebrated as much for her powerful music as for her unwavering fight for justice, inspired the creation of this vibrant production.
Inspired by Miriam Makeba’s legacy, Seutin has created Mimi’s Shebeen, infused with her signature blend of dynamic movement, singing, poetry and music. The audience is invited into a deconstructed Shebeen of Seutin’s own – a space for women to celebrate, interact and move freely together. In Apartheid-era South Africa, Shebeens were underground spaces for Black South Africans to gather and laugh, cry, discuss politics, drink, talk and escape – just for a moment – the oppressive regime. Often run by women, or “Shebeen Queens”, these spaces were a vital haven where self-expression and community were centred and celebrated.
Rooted firmly in this rich history of struggle, defiance and solidarity, interwoven with tales of immigration, exile, and homecoming, Mimi’s Shebeen is a moving and timely reminder of the power and importance of shared humanity.
In Mimi’s Shebeen, Seutin collaborates with major artists of African heritage: Lebo Mashile and Lisette Ma Neza (text), Angelo Moustapha and Zouratié Koné (music), and singer Tutu Puoane. The production is performed by dancers from Seutin’s company Vocab Dance.
Alesandra Seutin was born in Harare, grew up in Brussels and is now based in London. She trained at Trinity Laban Conservatoire of Music & Dance and Middlesex University before studying under Germaine Acogny at the famed École des Sables in Senegal. Founder of Vocab Dance, she is also a Sadler’s Wells Associate Artist and was Co-Artistic Director of the École des Sables from 2020 – 2024, and between 2019-2022 was a guest artistic director for the UK’s National Youth Dance Company (NYDC).
Alesandra Seutin said “I have had a long relationship with Sadler’s Wells stretching back to 2010. This relationship has included collaborations, works on stage, film commissions, twice a guest Artistic Director of the National Youth Dance Company, and now as Associate Artist. So, I am excited to be bringing my latest work Mimi’s Shebeen to have its London premiere on their new stage in Stratford at Sadler’s Wells East. This work pushes beyond dance to encompass all that I am as a maker: movement, spoken word and the music. In the shebeen, audiences will experience a song for the silenced and a dance for the departed.”
Mimi’s Shebeen will be at Sadler’s Wells East Wednesday 22 – Friday 24 October 2025. Tickets are on sale from £15 at www.sadlerswells.com. Please note, this program is recommended for ages 13+.
