(Pic
by Val Adamson)
Strong and disciplined company of talented
dancers honour the works of Wally Serote. (Review by Caroline Smart)
Described as a “uniquely visioned
choreopoem”, Flatfoot Dance Company’s History
is a Home Address is presented in association with Stable Theatre over this
weekend.
“History
Is A Home Address is the title of one of Dr Mongane
Wally Serote’s most recent poetry collections and its provocative invitation to
engage memory, history and belonging, got Flatfoot Dance Company inspired to
see if the writings of this anti-apartheid activist and African poet extraordinaire,
could still find resonance with a young audience today in 2013,” says Lliane
Loots, Flatfoot’s Artistic Director and choreographer.
Working with a variety of musical backings,
which flowed smoothly from various African styles to funky jazz, the six
Flatfoot dancers - Sifiso Majola, Sifiso Khumalo, Tshediso Kabulu, Julia
Wilson, Jabu Siphika and Thobi Maphanga – connect Serote’s words to movement,
resulting in memorable presentations of his poems such as City Johannesburg and No Baby
Must Weep.
The atmosphere of the minefields was created
in some well-cordinated gumboot sequences, linking the original style with
contemporary movement.
This is a strong and disciplined company of
talented dancers who interact well with each other while retaining their
individualism. The production also gives us the chance to recognise that Khumalo
is a fine singer and the three-part harmony created by him with Majola and Kabulu
was most moving.
History
Is A Home Address is 50 minutes long and has one
more performance at Stable Theatre on May 26 at 15h00. Tickets R35 booked through
Clare on 082 875 6065 or e-mail Craighead@ukzn.ac.za
Flatfoot expects to present History Is A Home Address to about 6,000
learners over the next few months. Schools interested in hosting the production
should also use these contact details.
This is Flatfoot Dance Company’ s second
collaborative offering in partnership with Stable Theatre which is situated at
117 Johannes Nkosi Street (formerly Alice Street) opposite the bus depot. –
Caroline Smart
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