(Reviews from the artSMart team
currently in Grahamstown at the 2016 National Arts Festival)
Well thought-out
dance piece with imaginative choreography, creative lighting states and great
group dynamics. (Review
by Verne Rowin Munsamy)
This year, the National Arts Festival tightened its
budget on the student festival, leaving many Universities with the arduous task
of raising their own funds to journey to the festival.
Nelson Mandela Metropolitan University, (Port
Elizabeth), is one of the 12 universities who made their way to the fest
through hard work and dedication, with the production Umjuxuzo Alive.
Honours student and director, Nicki-Ann Rayepen,
does well to confidently showcase eight dancers in the Rehearsal Room, so that
they too could be a part of the ’11 days of amazing’. While beautifully
executed, I felt that perhaps the dance sequences needed a little weaving
together but there is no denying the abundance of talent that this troupe displayed.
When interviewed, director Rayepen said that they
do not have a dance module at their university, but they wanted to nurture this
abundance of skill and talent and with the support of the department, and
others they are able to make this possible.
Kelly Adams, one of the young dancers (who is
simply extraordinary for her young self), added that the best part of the
process was bonding with the cast and finding a sense of unity.
A well thought-out dance piece with imaginative choreography,
creative lighting states and great group dynamics. Together they explore the diverse
expectations placed on the youth in order to flourish. Well done for showcasing
your talents. - Verne
Rowin Munsamy
(For
more information on the National Arts Festival click on the banner advert at
the top of this page)
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