Dance enthusiasts can anticipate a diverse array of productions at the National Arts Festival from both the Main and Fringe programmes.
A spectacular production of The Firebird, designed and directed by Janni Younge (previously of the Handspring Puppet Company) and choreo-graphed by Jay Pather, will have its world premiere in Grahamstown next Thursday, June 30.
Younge’s The Firebird is a re-imagining of the original ballet, and is set to the original Igor Stravinsky score. This visuals and perfomances of this production promise to thrill audiences.
The giant puppets include a huge dragon, awe-inspiring to behold as it unfurls its 10m wingspan above the dancers below.
Drawing on contemporary and traditional South African dance forms, Pather’s choreography embodies the narrative’s themes of finding free and powerful expression.
In the current sociopolitical climate, where South Africans seek to establish a national identity, Younge’s The Firebird asks important questions about courage and mutual understanding.
Other productions include:
Standard Bank Young Artist for Dance Themba Mbuli’s Sold is a theatrical reincarnation of the four women whose skulls were part of the 20 skulls of Herero/Nama people that were returned to Namibia. These four women embark on a journey to rediscover/uncover unnamed women in African history and in present times; interrogating the state of how women are perceived in African history. It is on from July 3-5.
Flatfoot Dance Company presents Days Like These, choreographed by Lliane Loots, which combines audio visual with contemporary dance. It is on from June 30 -July 1.
A new dance piece choreographed and performed by Nadine Joseph, titled Looking/Seeing/Being/Disappearing explores the identity and/or representation of the disappearing woman/ women/feminine other in contemporary South Africa. It is on from July 6 to July 7.
Kochira, directed by Khutjo Green, is inspired by the traditional Rakugo performances of Japan: taking a solo performer, a sensu and zabuton to spin imaginative tales. It is on from July 6 to July 8.
A highlight on the Arena programme is No fun ction alL anguage, directed by Jayne Batzofin with original music composed and performed by Eastern Cape local Dave Knowles. This production features a cast of diversely able performers and looks at how language affects us all in contemporary South African society.
A number of other productions will represent the Festival’s home province. We Salute Madiba sees the Eastern Cape Dance and Music Ensemble pay tribute to the father of our nation. With a colourful presentation of the stories of Nelson Mandela’s Transkei heritage, the ensemble will commemorate our country’s iconic hero.
On the Fringe, Predicament/Ayeye is presented by the Eastern Cape Dance Company. This is a double bill that deals with the emotions of losing a mother, finding personal peace and spiritual awakenings.
Two Grahamstown companies have emerged from the Makana Arts Academy project, run by Creative City, a project of the National Arts Festival funded by the European Union, to take centre stage this year on the Fringe.
Nomcebisi Moyikwa, who last year won two Standard Bank Ovation awards which recognise artistic excellence, presents her Intlangano Project’s Home, inspired by Toni Morrison’s novel of the same title; while Uyabona Ke presents two shows: Waterline, directed by Rob Murray, and winner of a 2015 Standard Bank Ovation award; and their new creation, Falling Off The Horn, about xenophobia in South Africa, directed by Sam Pennington.
Other Fringe dance highlights are ...feathers... by Moving Into Dance Mophatong, a bracing look at the intricacies of masculinity; and My Body, My Life, My Decisions by Rainbow Theatre Company, which brings to light the realities of the LGBTI (lesbian, gay, bisexual, trans, and/or intersex) communities living in South Africa.
Underground Dance Theatre’s Pulp is set to scintillate with an intimate film noir-styled dance theatre piece.
New offering to set stage alight
A spectacular production of The Firebird, designed and directed by Janni Younge (previously of the Handspring Puppet Company) and choreo-graphed by Jay Pather, will have its world premiere in Grahamstown next Thursday, June 30.
Younge’s The Firebird is a re-imagining of the original ballet, and is set to the original Igor Stravinsky score. This visuals and perfomances of this production promise to thrill audiences.
The giant puppets include a huge dragon, awe-inspiring to behold as it unfurls its 10m wingspan above the dancers below.
Drawing on contemporary and traditional South African dance forms, Pather’s choreography embodies the narrative’s themes of finding free and powerful expression.
In the current sociopolitical climate, where South Africans seek to establish a national identity, Younge’s The Firebird asks important questions about courage and mutual understanding.
Other productions include:
Standard Bank Young Artist for Dance Themba Mbuli’s Sold is a theatrical reincarnation of the four women whose skulls were part of the 20 skulls of Herero/Nama people that were returned to Namibia. These four women embark on a journey to rediscover/uncover unnamed women in African history and in present times; interrogating the state of how women are perceived in African history. It is on from July 3-5.
Flatfoot Dance Company presents Days Like These, choreographed by Lliane Loots, which combines audio visual with contemporary dance. It is on from June 30 -July 1.
A new dance piece choreographed and performed by Nadine Joseph, titled Looking/Seeing/Being/Disappearing explores the identity and/or representation of the disappearing woman/ women/feminine other in contemporary South Africa. It is on from July 6 to July 7.
Kochira, directed by Khutjo Green, is inspired by the traditional Rakugo performances of Japan: taking a solo performer, a sensu and zabuton to spin imaginative tales. It is on from July 6 to July 8.
A highlight on the Arena programme is No fun ction alL anguage, directed by Jayne Batzofin with original music composed and performed by Eastern Cape local Dave Knowles. This production features a cast of diversely able performers and looks at how language affects us all in contemporary South African society.
A number of other productions will represent the Festival’s home province. We Salute Madiba sees the Eastern Cape Dance and Music Ensemble pay tribute to the father of our nation. With a colourful presentation of the stories of Nelson Mandela’s Transkei heritage, the ensemble will commemorate our country’s iconic hero.
On the Fringe, Predicament/Ayeye is presented by the Eastern Cape Dance Company. This is a double bill that deals with the emotions of losing a mother, finding personal peace and spiritual awakenings.
Two Grahamstown companies have emerged from the Makana Arts Academy project, run by Creative City, a project of the National Arts Festival funded by the European Union, to take centre stage this year on the Fringe.
Nomcebisi Moyikwa, who last year won two Standard Bank Ovation awards which recognise artistic excellence, presents her Intlangano Project’s Home, inspired by Toni Morrison’s novel of the same title; while Uyabona Ke presents two shows: Waterline, directed by Rob Murray, and winner of a 2015 Standard Bank Ovation award; and their new creation, Falling Off The Horn, about xenophobia in South Africa, directed by Sam Pennington.
Other Fringe dance highlights are ...feathers... by Moving Into Dance Mophatong, a bracing look at the intricacies of masculinity; and My Body, My Life, My Decisions by Rainbow Theatre Company, which brings to light the realities of the LGBTI (lesbian, gay, bisexual, trans, and/or intersex) communities living in South Africa.
Underground Dance Theatre’s Pulp is set to scintillate with an intimate film noir-styled dance theatre piece.
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