(Vusi
Makhanya can be seen in the background, bottom left. Pic by Bazil Raubach)
The piece explodes with a passion and
sincerity that is tangible. (Review by Caroline Smart)
Appearing in Grahamstown, at the 2013 festival,
Biko’s Quest was presented by Jazzart
Dance Theatre and the Steve Biko Foundation in association with the National
Arts Festival.
The production was inspired by the Steve
Biko Foundation’s photographic exhibition, The
Quest for a True Humanity. The dance work gained inspiration from the
exhibition’s portrayal of Biko’s life and death.
Directed by Mandla Mbothwe and
choreographed by Jackie Manyaapelo, Ina Wichterich-Mogane and Mzo Gasa, Biko’s Quest also pays tribute to those
who were held in detention without trial and died under the apartheid regime.
The programme notes promise to ”take the
audience on a thought-provoking and emotional journey displayed through a
combination of powerful dancing and moving storytelling”. Well, the company undoubtedly
achieved this aim. The ensemble work is disciplined and interactive – good to
see Durban dancer Vusi Makhanya in the cast – and the piece explodes with a
passion and sincerity that is tangible. The dance styles go from gumboot to
Sophiatown jazz.
I have never seen violence portrayed so
effectively. This was a brilliant combination of performance and technology incorporating
lighting, sound and special effects. As an audience member, I felt part of the
chaos, the shooting, the smoke and the sounds of suffering as it built to a near-unbearable
climax. In contrast, the scenes held in complete silence were just as powerful.
Particular mention must be made of Bamanye
Yeko’s excellent lighting design, especially at the beginning which
incorporates a number of tableaux while a young girl in a Sarafina-type school
uniform is frantically typing away on an old typewriter at a school desk. The
lighting is further accentuated as cast members use torches to spotlight
individual performers.
Superbly presented, this is an extremely
powerful work both in its own right and as a tribute to the late Steve Biko. –
Caroline Smart
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