(A dramatic moment captured by Val Adamson)
Mhayise Productions
has been hosting a Movement Lab Residency for the Movement Lab’s participants
(and friends) for the past three weeks. This residency is co-ordinated and
facilitated by Musa Hlatshwayo under his company banner as a means of putting
together a daily intensive training programme for his trainees and the various
individuals and representatives of organizations that he mentors.
Part of this
residency also involves opening the doors to the public to get them to experience,
witness and see the process-driven work of these young artists as the residency
was hosted at Stable Theatre under the bridge near the buzzing sounds of the
taxis, the rallying political parties and the screeching trains on the railway
lines. Apart from the many activities that included technique classes, creative
choreographic tasks, writing and composition tasks, discussion seminars and
presentations, the residency also featured an in-studio collaboration with one
of South Africa's top photographers; Val Adamson, with the intention of taking
the participants behind-the-scenes as well as in front of the camera so that
they could experience the magic that sparks when Hlatshwayo collaborates with
Adamson.
This crafting and
capturing of images in motion formed part of Hlatshwayo’s process of
conceptualizing, creating and producing a performance work with the residency
participants as they gained experience on a first hand basis.
Freedom: mirrors, chandeliers and twerkers? will be presented at the Wushwini Arts,
Culture and Heritage Centre’s Uhuru International Arts Festival.
“An interactive,
participatory site-specific multidisciplinary dance theatre work,” explains
Hlatshwayo, “it looks at the impact of 21st century pop-culture and the media;
the role it constantly plays in shaping our thinking, our behaviour, our
identities and ambitions all against the backdrop of our moral (de)generation
as best witnessed in the latest events of violence amongst the youth and the
people of Africa. The piece explores, in question, the concept(s) of freedom,
expression, freedom of expression, communicating and communication codes - a
post apartheid language that we loosely use as we celebrate and embrace ‘ubusha
bethu’ in post-colonial and post-apartheid South Africa.
“Featuring a
magnificent cast of more 30 performers specializing in movement, dance, live
soundscaping, poetry, music, a live DJ and other ‘explosive’ surprises
including creative set and light designing, this moving work is sure to turn
the Wushwini Centre into a vibrant and explosive experience with our audiences
being moved into a journey with the Inanda Dam and the beautiful Wushwini
mountains forming the perfect background.”
This performance takes
place at the Wushwini Arts, Culture and Heritage Centre’s Uhuru International
Arts Festival on May 8 at 21h00. Festival tickets R25 per show or R100 per
day's pass. Audiences are advised to bring warm clothing as this performance will
take place outside. A good pair of comfortable shoes will also help as audience
members will get to explore the ins and outs of the centre as they move with
the performance.
For more
information on Freedom: mirrors,
chandeliers and twerkers? contact email mhayiseproductions@yahoo.com cc chocm@hotmail.com
For details of the
festival line-up, bookings and or enquiries email: wushwiniarts@gmail.com
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