XANUUN

Duration

60 min

Defiance in motion

XANUUN is Somali for pain and an evocative performance about Somali youths who migrated from the Netherlands to the United Kingdom. The five talented dancers of X_YUSUF_BOSS bring their stories to life. We see them searching for safety and a new future, only to be confronted with exclusion and violence instead.

On stage, we are drawn into their struggle — one fought deep within, yet made visible and tangible through their striking, expressive movements. The raw beats of grime and trap – the musical genre of the streets and British resistance culture – immerse us in the harsh reality, while also highlighting their boundless resilience.

X_YUSUF_BOSS is the home and platform of choreographer Mohamed Yusuf Boss. Through dance, they create connections between disciplines and communities, with a focus on the shared search for humanity. Their work is guided by the principles of ‘each one, teach one’ and ‘Ubuntu’, which emphasize mutual learning and building a collective community.

Choreographer
Mohamed Yusuf Boss is the artistic director and choreographer of X_YUSUF_BOSS. For XANUUN, he takes in the double role of director and choreographer, working closely with the company's talented dancers.

Dancers
Ada Daniele, Ser Sebico, Shara Maaskant, Tara Salahshor, and Eloy Cojal have been associated with X_YUSUF_BOSS for years. They have shared the stage in previous productions, such as TOBAN and LIX.

Scenography and lighting design
André Pronk, long-time scenographer and lighting designer for X_YUSUF_BOSS, translates the themes of XANUUN into a striking visual and spatial experience.

Music
Rik van den Heuvel provides the musical backdrop for XANUUN, which was heavily influenced by grime and trap.

Dramaturgy
Merel Heering serves as the dramaturg for this production, exploring the impact of language and power within the performance alongside Mohamed.

Choreographer: Mohamed Yusuf Boss
Dancers: Ada Daniele, Ser Sebico, Shara Maaskant, Eloy Cojal, Tara Salahshor
Scenography: André Pronk
Music: Rik van den Heuvel