Mongolia’s epic Mongol Khan play is a European first in London

With a company of more than 70 actors, dancers and musicians, the lavish large-scale production has played to sold out houses across Mongolia for more than a year.

In November and December 2023, it’s coming to London to celebrate the 60th anniversary of diplomatic ties between the country and the UK. Think dance, puppetry, elaborate sets and costumes inspired by traditional nomadic culture. Tickets are on sale with groups able to book performances between 17th November and 3rd December.

Taking audiences back 2,000 years, a brutal succession battle threatens the very heart of the Empire. As the great Khan struggles to maintain his supremacy, a plot unfurls that will forever alter the balance of power. The Mongol Khan is said to have all the ingredients of a classic tragedy: jealousy, mistaken identity, adultery, rivalry, sacrifice, succession and the struggle for power. With the stability of an empire at stake, the story culminates in a battle for the future of the Hunnic Empire.

The Mongolian creators have been collaborating with an international team of artists and practitioners on the show’s development, including historian and travel writer John Man, an expert in Mongolian history and culture. Mongolia is considered one of the world’s best kept secrets as a travel destination with its rugged expanses, unspoilt wildernesses, welcoming people and nomadic tribes with rich traditions.

The Mongol Khan is said to serve as an introduction to the country and its history, giving audiences a taste of its rich culture. The very first time a Mongolian play has been presented to a European audience, The Mongol Khan offers audiences a unique insight into the mentality and philosophy of early eastern civilisations.

The Mongolian production featuring more than 70 actors, dancers and musicians, is coming to the London Coliseum in November 2023.

The Mongol Khan was written in 1998 by renowned Mongolian writer and poet B.Lkhagvasuren and was revived in April 2022 at the Mongolian State Academic Theatre of Drama.

The production takes inspiration from historical events, archaeological findings, traditional nomadic dances, and the music of the ancient Hun culture of Central Asia from the period of the Hunnic Empire.