INHALE/EXHALE

By no means your run of the mill contemporary dance piece. (Review by Mary Ann Salvage)

A short piece consisting of four acts and six scenes, Inhale/Exhale presented by iKAPA Dance Theatre and choreographed by directors Theo Ndindwa and Tanya Arshamian at the Playhouse this week was by no means your run of the mill contemporary dance piece.

Described by Ndindwa as a very personal journey, in the Questions & Answers at the end of the show, this abstract work pushed boundaries and took the audience out of their comfort zone. It was inspired by how universal stories and life experiences cause an emotional reaction that affects one’s breathing.

The iKAPA choreographers collaborated with classically trained musicians, Thokozani Mhlambi (cello) and Nobuntu Nqulwane (operatic voice) from the Johannesburg based Afropolitan Explosiv who created interesting and at times jarring sounds. Initially, there was clever use of the cello accompanied by live vocal sounds, both unconventionally executed. However, this soon became very repetitive and with sound levels high, extremely unbearable. Some people even walked out of the theatre! It unfortunately did not develop musically nor did it contribute to the equally confusing choreography which, in my opinion, needed to be more subtle and less “in your face”.

However, encouragement needs to be given to this young company, established in 2007. Theo Ndindwa is an extremely gifted dancer and deserves to be showcased with more challenging choreography, perhaps not his own.

iKAPA Dance Theatre runs in the Playhouse until July 7 after which they will complete their national tour with performances in East London and finally Cape Town. – Mary-Ann Salvage