(Nqubeko
Ngema & Njabulo Zungu perform Mdu Mthsali’s new work, “Alive kids”)
Performance pieces broke the barrier between
the dancer and the audience. (Review by Verne Rowin Munsamy)
KZN On The Edge is a Jomba! platform that
seeks to support fresh innovative contemporary Dance work coming out of the KZN
region. This year Jomba! partnered with KZNSA Gallery to showcase four works
that were selected for growth and development. These performance pieces broke
the barrier between the dancer and the audience as they use various levels of
interaction in the different spaces that were explored.
The first work Otherwise, took place in the coffee bar area outside, under the canvas
of the trees and modestly but well-lit by parcans and the night sky. It
showcased the Jomba! residency which was a partnering between Marcel Gbeffa and
five KZN dancers: Bonwa Mbontsi, Tegan Peacock, Steven Banzoulu, Sbonelo Mchunu
and Kim McCusker-Bartlett. The dancers explored afro-traditional basics which
revealed itself in a very inquisitive, contact improvisational kind of dance
style. The audience became very much a part of the choreography and the dancers
explored the connections between individuals and groups. A substantial amount
of contact improvisation was utilised between dancers, the slated floor and the
audience. The first duet displayed a playful, inquisitive energy and
relationship which made use if the entire space while the second duet
demonstrated a relationship that was approaching its final stages. The audience
is privy to the importance of human touch and interaction.
The second piece, Isiungo, was choreographed and danced by Sfiso Khumalo of Flatfoot
Dance Company and features Gcina Shange, Zinhle Nzama, Jabu Siphika and Thobile
Maphanga. The live music by musicians Siyabonga Mkhombe and Mduduzi Mbuyazi was
an interesting layer of the piece which unpacks the consequences of broken
oaths. The African contemporary choreography, performed on the gallery stair
include the lengthy wall as a sixth dance almost, sharing weight and assisting
with lifts.
Piece three, Bad, moved us all into the main gallery itself. Choreographed and
performed by Lorin Sookool from Forgotten Angle Theatre Collaborative with
illustration by Brooke Schafer. The illustrations added immensely to the tone
of the piece which unpacks the commodification, exploitation and abuse of the
female form. Propped with a mirror, an old PC shell and dressed as the iconic
Marilyn Monroe, Sookool spends most of the time in a shoulder stand, on her
back, forcing the audience to question the way we view women and the female
body.
My favourite piece of the night was
choreographed by Mdu Mtshali, Alive Kids.
It is beautifully danced by Nqubeko Ngema and Njabulo Zungu, both of whom get
technically stronger with every show I see them in; they certainly are a
powerful pairing on stage with great stage presence. They allow the
choreography to look remarkable while at the same time remaining true to the
story being told. The concept is that of two streets kids finding hope in whatever
little is thrown their way. I loved the use of powder on the jackets which when
dusted would get trapped in the light creating dust patterns. It was the
perfect way to end the night as the piece urged us to ponder our actions and
prompt change to occur now! - Verne
Rowin Munsamy
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