(The
Playhouse Dance Residency feature in this award-winning piece. Pic by Val
Adamson)
As a troupe they were a cohesive entity and complemented
each other perfectly in this impressive production. (Review by Keith Millar)
The dance component of this year’s South African Woman’s Art
Festival at the Playhouse in Durban was provided by the Playhouse Dance Residency.
They presented a one-off performance of If
the World Was Listening ..., the production which won them a coveted
Standard Bank Ovation Award at the National Arts Festival in Grahamstown
earlier this year.
This contemporary dance production is choreographed by
Sandile Mkhize in collaboration with the cast and is based on their own stories
which they shared during the creative process. The result is a deeply personal,
moody work which is danced with emotion, intensity and total immersion by the
cast.
There are shades of violence, adversity, domination
aggression, confrontation, discovery and seduction woven throughout this very
physical piece. It is a powerful, tantalising and thought-provoking work .It
invites you to ponder that if the world was listening – what would you say?
If The World Was
Listening ... features the substantial dance talents of Sandile Mkhize,
Nkanyiso Kunene, Leagan Peffer, Julia Hosmer, Lorin Sookool and Monde Morafana.
The standard of their performance was of an enjoyably high
level. They were beautifully graceful and agile and performed with energy,
style and enthusiasm. As a troupe they were a cohesive entity and complemented
each other perfectly.
Costume design was by Julia Hosmer. Her creation of a tutu
made from newspapers in the opening episode of the production was particularly
thought-provoking. I am sure there were many interpretations in the audience as
to the symbolism of this.
The soundtrack for this production is outstanding. It offers
an impressive and eccentric choice of music and sounds which is an integral
part of the dance. Unfortunately, the programme offers no mention of who is
responsible for this masterpiece.
The meaning, or symbolism, of every episode in this dance
work is not entirely clear. Possibly that is not a bad thing as each person can
then formulate their own ideas and come to their own understanding of what is
an impressive production. – Keith Millar
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