Encounter Festival - Mughal Miniatures - Animal Paradise
Animal Paradise is a vibrant outdoor performance event for all the family, which celebrates and takes inspiration from the exquisite traditional art of Indian and Persian miniature painting.
Mughal Miniatures is upbeat and fun, with performers in sumptuous costumes creating a spirited and colourful mini world of dance and music. This pop-up, living picture evokes scenes of lush Indian gardens and the glory of the Mughal period but with a contemporary twist which overturns expectations and surprises and delights passers-by.
We invite you to step back in time to an exquisite gathering where human and creature meet and interact. Exploring the relationship between humans, animals and the natural world and whether it's possible for the three to live in harmony.
Indian miniature painting of 9th and 10th century was hugely multicultural, drawing inspiration from many peoples and cultures. In the same way, this project, like all Sonia Sabri Company's work, is about bringing different artists, forms and cultures into dialogue with each other and demonstrating their complementary nature.
A poignant metaphor of our diverse society here in the UK and worldwide.
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Accessibility
This is a wordless and highly visual performance making it accessible to all ages and d/Deaf audiences.
Mughal Miniatures Audience Reviews
"I came from Chichester which is about an hour away from Brighton. Came specially to watch Mughal Miniatures. I am a performer myself, heard very good report about them from Outdoors Arts UK last year and I thought I had to come and see them. It was really worth the visit."
"It was stunningly good. Really interesting idea based on miniatures. I haven't seen anything quite like this before. It was a really quality performance."
"Really loved how they managed to tell the story without saying anything, all the narrative. And drew the young children that aren't verbal yet, made them understand the story."
YouTube - Mughal Miniatures: Animal Paradise by SSCo trailer
Encounter Festival 2024
This event is part of the Encounter Festival for 2024, with a whole host of events for you to see and get involved with.
To see what else is on for the Encounter Festival weekend take a look at our Encounter Festival 2024 guide.
For more information on what Encounter Festival is as an annual event, see Encounter Festival - Preston City Centre.
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Road closure notice
Please note, road closure notices will be in effect in the city centre for the 21 - 22 September weekend. For more information please visit Preston City Council - Road closures.