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Saturday, May 17, 2014

ISIPHETHU



(Zinhle Zama. Pic by Val Adamson)

Flatfoot Dance Company continues its three year partnership with Durban’s inimitable Stable Theatre to present a very special season of new African contemporary dance works which will have special appeal for both a younger dance audiences and the more seasoned dance aficionado.

Isiphethu is an isiZulu word which means “The Well” and this season of three new dance work dives into considering the power of the image and symbol of “The Well” to nurture and support the heart and spirit of the individual and the community. Timeously created with the ideas of a 20 year democracy resonating in us, Isiphethu is a personal journey into understanding the collective spirit of South Africa.

Under the direction of Flatfoot Dance Company Artistic Director, Lliane Loots, the season features the choreography of Sifiso Majola, Jabu Siphika and Sifiso ‘Kitsona’ Khumalo, three of Flatfoot’s most senior and awarded dancers as they turn their talents to creating dance that will delight, amaze and entertain! Each of them have worked with the idea of “The Well” and what this means to them so this feast of contemporary dance offers a chance to see how three different choreographers work around one theme or idea. This season will feature all six of the much-loved resident Flatfoot dancers performing the works.

Isiphethu  begins with Sifiso Majola’s Gugulami/My Pride and delves into the idea of what it means to look into “The Well” and see your reflection and, through this mirror image, how we learn to see our real selves; selves that have ancestors who have guided us and nurtured us.

Jabu Siphika’s very personal solo dance work follows. Entitled experience is a good teacher, it draws on the idea that our daily trips to “The Well” are sometimes filled with trials and tribulations but at the end as we draw from “the Well” (our inner strengths), we are nurtured and refreshed as we step closer to becoming who we are meant to be.

The season ends with the African contemporary master work by Sifiso Khumalo entitled Ugubhu which roughly translates to reference the deep sound that comes from the African drum. This work journey’s to “the Well” to find the echo of what our lives should be like – the joy and the triumphs that echo in the sounds of nature.

Now in its 11th year, Flatfoot Dance Company is KZN’s premier African contemporary dance company. With numerous awards for their dance work and recent international tours under their belts, this is an opportunity to watch them and the magic of three new Durban choreographic voices unfold at Durban’s Stable Theatre. 

Isiphethu runs at Stable Theatre from May 22 to 25 with performances on May 22 at 11h00; May 23 at 11h00 and 18h30 and May 25 at 15h00. Tickets R50 (R25 students, scholars and pensioners). The duration of the show is 1 hours 10minutes.

The special morning performances are to encourage schools to take advantage of this season of dance theatre. Bookings for any of the shows on 082 875 6065 or e-mail craighead@ukzn.ac.za