UNSPOKEN

Durban University of Technology’s Drama Department presents the annual Dance Production, a season of contemporary dance entitled Unspoken.

“Unspoken deals with issue of identity, acceptance, growing tension, skin, layers, tolerance and approval. Works are about interpersonal, personal and community dynamics,” says director, dance lecturer Mdu Mtshali.

Unspoken involves 16 second-year students and 23 third-year students who specialise in dance theatre. It showcases five new works by Durban-based choreographers, Mdu Mtshali, Neliswa Rushualang, Sifiso ‘Kitsona” Khumalo, Sphelele Nzama and Mdu Mtshali.

Some highlights of the season include Colours of Dreams performed by the third-year dance specialists at the Dance Umbrella in March this year. Clay powder in its buff tactility forms a central component to this piece which presents one kaleidoscopic permutation of bodies plotted against one another, after another, and the work never wilts in its freshness, evolving and folding around new physical values and possibilities, with smoothness.

While eastern sensibilities are evoked, in particular - the many-armed Hindu god, Kali - in several dance arrangements and gestures, the work irrevocably and movingly engages with the mystery of death and the intransigence of cultural ritual which gives life a focus.

Unspoken runs at the Courtyard Theatre, DUT, from September 12 to 16 nightly at 19h00. Entrance fee: R20. The Courtyard Theatre is situated at Mansfield / Steve Biko Road. More information from Lebohang Sibisi on 031 373 2194.

This production is best suited for adult audiences only