A solid night of extraordinary dance.
(Review by Verne Rowin Munsamy)
An aspiring
collaboration by Rickshaw Collective, Eden College and Kwamashu School of Dance, brought us synchronised night
of dance.
Platform 1 is a contemporary dance experience that allows
young, aspiring dancers and choreographers to show how they are trying to
master their craft. It is a great springboard for the novice choreographers to
ease their way into the world of dance and choreography. The programme's intention is to develop the performance and
choreographic abilities of training dancers, while forming links between
dancers, training institutions and practitioners. Participants and collaborations include Eden College Durban,
Locomotion, KwaMashu School of Dance Theatre, Dusi Dance Company, Movement
Laboratory and Mzamo Kunene.
With so much young talent in terms of
dance, these young choreographers used the dancers to optimal effect. Kwa Mashu
School of Dance offered us powerful movement, beautiful elevations and
synchronicity that was fondly used by Penduka Dance company, Vusi Makhanya
being a graduate of their programme. The young women left, performing duets and
solos, did well to demonstrate their versatile ballet and contemporary
technique.
The energetic dancers voice their love for
dance and the sense of freedom that they feel while dancing, on video footage
that served to tie all the pieces together.
Covering various themes - from freedom, to
advancing and retreating, to discovering their ‘self’ and choreographic voices
- I did feel that their youth might have prevented them from genuinely
connecting with the gravity of the emotions but, all in all, a solid night of
extraordinary dance.
Dance
and Theatre practitioners involved in the Platform are Shelby Strange, Vusi Makhanya,
Steven El Fantastico, Thobile Maphanga, Jean van Elden, Musa Hlatshwayo,
Catherine Hampton and Bryan Hiles.
The main aim is to showcase student and
upcoming work. Durban’s dance and theatre communities are being introduced to
the promising performers and choreographers in their city. I applaud this valiant
collaboration and look forward to future endeavours. - Verne Rowin Munsamy
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