MOSES

(Pic: Ngcebo Nzama and Sikelela Magxala)

Top choreographer Musa Hlatshwayo returns to Durban with a new creation

After much globetrotting of late, Musa Hlatshwayo returns to Durban with a new creation entitled Moses. This is a dance theatre choreopoem inspired by former president Thabo Mbeki’s I am an African. The work addresses ideas of patriotism, patriarchy, role modelling and ‘Africanism’ – an ideology that seeks to define an African. While literally dividing the stage into three performance areas, the work presents a collage of poetry, contemporary dance, physical theatre, music and traditional chants and sounds as the soundscape of the work.

The work preludes with images by Val Adamson and a live interpretation of Lebo Mashile’s The Ancient Ones. The lyrical sound of Mama Makeba introduces us to a dream that unfolds into an experience led by two youngsters whose journey leads them to challenges that rob them of their youth. Silence is a major part of the journey while submission is a subconscious reaction mode. Perhaps a reflection of those who suffer the loss of their youthful innocence in the battles of pride, or those whose choices are informed and enforced by the pathways of their leadership as affirmation of their desired identity. This seventy minute eclectic dream is resolved by Ingrid Jonker’s heart-hitting poem; The Child Who Was Shot Dead by the Soldiers in Nyanga.

Musa Hlatshwayo is the choreographer and producer of this work. Hlatshwayo was last seen on Durban stages in Jomba 2006 and has been scarce due to his numerous international tours in Europe, America and Africa. Locally, he has been focusing his creative energy into Cato Manor Vibe!!; a dance development project where he is involved as artistic supervisor where all the performers have been outsourced.

The intimate Square Space Theatre (at the University of KwaZulu-Natal) will play perfect host to this production where it will be used to its best with one side of the auditorium as an extension of the stage and all entrances magically revealing the performers as they each make their majestic entrances. Ngcebo Nzama (KZN Dancelink’s best Newcomer for 2007/2008), Sikelela Magxala, Phumzile Masina, Busi Deyi and the award-winning Musa Hlatshwayo are the multi-talented troop of this work accompanied by acclaimed choreographer and theatre technician Wesley Maherry’s creative genius as production designer.

Moses premieres at the Square Space Theatre from July 21 to 26 at 19h00 (Sunday at 18h00) The show runs for approximately seventy minutes without an interval. Tickets at the door R60 (R40 students and pensioners). Seating is limited as one side of the auditorium is used as part of the stage. Prior booking is highly recommended and opening night is by invitation only. Block bookings of ten and above get special discounts.

For bookings and enquiries, contact Claudette Wagner on 031 260 3133 or wagnerc1@ukzn.ac.za This is a family show and thus no age restriction applies.