(Jabu
Siphika & Sifiso Khumalo)
Maintaining Hope! (Review by Verne Rowin
Munsamy)
In celebration of their 15th anniversary
Flatfoot Dance Company jubilantly take to the Sneddon Theatre stage to bring us
"things left unsaid". Greeting the audience, prior to the two works,
was Artistic Director Lliane Loots, who reminded us of Flatfoot's long-standing
goals of achieving a better society through Dance and creating a community of
resistance and hope. Loots reminded us of past, present and future dancers that
the company fosters and also taking a moment to honour the dancers who have
passed. Her inspirational speech lays the foundation for the pieces to follow.
The first work entitled Ndlelanhle, meaning “go well on your
journey”, is choreographed by Sifiso Khumalo, a long-standing member of the
company, who seems to have concretised his unique style and voice and was able
to teach it to these five novice dancers. Sbonga Ndlovu, Ndumiso Dube, Siseko
Dube, Qhawe Ndimande and Mthoko Mkhwanazi have all undergone rigorous training
under in the Flatfoot teaching programmes and now take to the stage to eloquently
display the fruits of their labour. Khumalo's choreography journeys into his
own Zulu culture and chooses to speak about rituals that seem to be eroding in
a modern urban setting. He aptly described his personal stories through African
Contemporary Dance. All credit to these new members on the stage as they only
grew and soared as the end of both pieces approached. Khumalo has managed to
symbolically represent his culture through dance and like Loots suggest, remain
hopeful of its continued remembrance.
The second work on display was titled things left unsaid and was choreographed
by Lliane Loots and the dancers; mixing the five novice dancer stylings with
the familiarity of Jabu Siphika, Sifiso Khumalo and Zinhle Nzama. Together they
show the strength and passion that is Flatfoot Dance Company. I must admit that
at times I was reminded, nostalgically, of early works like Orion Project. The second half is, in
true Loots style, a piece that negotiates both personal and political space,
makes us confront some harsh realities and in the end remind us that we are
still standing! The dance piece is a tribute to Olive Mokete and sisters like
her.
Wesley Maherry, a lighting designer who has
danced with the Company and has been lighting them since their toddler
stagings, always seems to provide the perfect lighting to accompany not just
the dancing but also the tone and message of the piece. Karen Logan's video
installations have become a common feature in a Flatfoot piece as she always
adds some unintrusive magic to it. I thoroughly enjoyed witnessing the next
phase that Flatfoot is stepping into.
The show runs at the Elizabeth Sneddon
Theatre until March 25, 2018. Performances until March 24 at 19h30 and on March
25 at 14h30. Tickets R85 (R65 students, scholars, pensioners and block booking
of 10 or more) available through Computicket.
Become a part of this community of hope...
- Verne Rowin Munsamy
Posts
