(Pic by Val Adamson)
Triumphant first collaboration between
Flatfoot Dance Company and Stable Theatre. (Review by Caroline Smart)
When I first started to review contemporary
dance, I did it with great trepidation as my dance background in my early days
was ballet. In response to my question some years back after a particular
production as to “what did the production mean?”, choreographer David Gouldie
responded: “it doesn’t have to “mean” anything – it’s about a feeling, a mood,
a journey …” Those guidelines have stood me in good stead in what I hope have
been reviews that give a layman’s viewpoint of contemporary dance works to
encourage people to attend. I don’t presume to preach to the converted. I try
to get new converts!
Flatfoot Dance Company has brought its
latest work utalago/horizon to Stable
Theatre where its all-too-short season finishes this afternoon.
This is a first for Stable Theatre and
Flatfoot and hopefully the beginning of a long-term association. It also offers
encouragement to potential outside hirers to use this revamped venue. (Just for
the record, I say this wearing my cap as a Stable Theatre board member!)
That aside, tonight’s performance proved
that it is a beautiful space for contemporary dance with its spacious
performance area and capacity to provide excellent mood lighting. Lighting
designers Clare Craighead and Tina le Roux have used this capacity to the fullest.
Directed by Flatfoot’s artistic director,
Lliane Loots, utalago/horizon is choreographed
by Sifiso Kitsona Khumalo who has
been a part of Flatfoot for over seven of its nearly ten years. He describes his work as starting off
with a group of travellers setting out on a journey together and the various
shifts in relationship as the time progresses.
The journey begins with a vibrant and
pulsating drumming introduction by Flatfoot’s long-time musical partners, Mandla
Matsha and Njabulo Shabalala, who continue to underscore the piece. However,
this is not simply underscoring but engaging-as-one with the dancers in a truly
impressive collaboration.
The first dancer to appear is Sifiso Majola
who enters in dramatic lighting as if seen from afar through a television
camera lens: crouched and small, gradually unfolding as he approaches. In the
process, his shadow – which grows to gargantuan proportions – overpowers him.
Shadow play forms a strong part of this production, offering a moody and spiritual
presence.
Soon the stage is filled with the rest of the
award-winning resident dancers of Flatfoot: Tshediso Kabulu, Julia Wilson,
Lerato Lipere and Khumalo himself. With a strong use of bent elbows and hands,
at times they appear to be ominous eagles or carefree seagulls as per the prevailing
mood.
This is an energised and extremely
physically demanding work and the dancers were utterly focused throughout.
Presented in association with Stable
Theatre, Flatfoot’s utalagu/horizon has
one more performance at Stable Theatre tomorrow (December 9 at 15h00). The
performance lasts for an hour. Tickets R50
(R30 scholars, students and OAP) available at the door from one hour before
performance. – Caroline Smart
(NB: Stable
Theatre is a safe and easily accessible venue (check the website for directions
www.stabletheatre.co.za) There is
free parking on site with a security guard at the gate. I live close to
Entabeni Hospital and – as an exercise – I timed myself tonight to see how long
it took me to get home. Within four minutes, I was on the Western Freeway; three
minutes later at Tollgate Bridge, and three minutes later I was driving into my
garage – total time of 10 minutes!)
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