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Saturday, July 9, 2016

NAF: UMJUXUZO ALIVE



(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

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