A multifaceted performance not to be missed. (Review by Kamini Govender)
This past week, despite being shortened by
a public holiday, felt extraneous. With the aftermath of the devastating floods
greeting the days ahead; a stark reminder, amidst election campaigns, of the
gross inequalities embedded in our society. It was within this week that Flatfoot
Dance Company presented Under the Same
Sky at The Elizabeth Sneddon Theatre.
For the past 16 years, Flatfoot has
unapologetically challenged, provoked and engaged the ideas of what it means to
be human in an inhumane system of society. And this piece was an echo of that
same appeal. Delving deeply into the local and global political landscapes, it
seeks to navigate personal reflections of our context through the body. As
Artistic Director, Lliane Loots, aptly states of the work; “[it] offers a deeply inhaled and exhaled
breath at a time of extreme physical and emotional violence”.
Under
the Same Sky not only reflects upon the terrifying
rise in prejudice (fuelled by the global far-right gaining more power) But it
begins to shatter the mirror it holds up, in the most beautiful way, exploring
the possibilities and the hope that remains within us. The piece is comprised
of three choreographed works, Ngaphesheya
by Sifiso Khumalo, Loss of a dream by
Jabu Siphika and unsheltered by
Lliane Loots. Each of the works offering a unique perspective on the personal effects
of memory, identity and nation.
The curtains rise to reveal a stark shaft
of light and the Flatfoot dancers gathered ... waiting. Khumalo’s Ngaphesheya
begins in silence, with the company dressed in old clothes, walking forward.
Slowly. Together. This movement is broken and repeated, with the sound of bare
feet on the stage, running free and then re-joining the collective. This image
is broken by the discordant music, as the dancers continue to interrogate our
frenetic state of being. It questions where our dreams have gone, when the past
seems to repeat itself and life continues the burgeoning of futility.
This is followed by Jabu Siphika’s Loss of a dream, a captivating and
gentle statement to reclaiming the self. Exquisitely rendered through the dance
work of Jabu Siphika and Mthoko Mkhwanazi. The composition is choreographed
around a table and chair, which act as a symbol of both separation and
selfhood. Siphika and Mkhwanazi alternate the space between connection and loss
through this set piece. It ends with a tragic yet beautiful image; encompassing
the difficult (but necessary) journey to selfhood.
The final work of choreography is unsheltered by Lliane Loots. It begins
with the unfortunate visage of Donald Trump; spewing words of hate with
ridiculous candour. An image that has been an almost daily occurrence - with
the actual effects of his words on the marginalised - being less frequent in
our news cycle. Lights are used to create a border on stage, as the dancers
move in and around this distinct severance. unsheltered
takes us on a journey of where we are, to where we could be, if we broke our
borders and opened our lives to the spirit of generosity and empathy. If we
could live as freely and as openly as the sky.
Under
the Same Sky involves the dance work of the senior
company; Sifiso Khumalo, Jabu Siphika and Zinhle Nzama and is joined by the
junior company; Sbonga Ndlovu, Ndumiso Dube, Siseko Duba and Mthoko Mkhwanazi.
Complemented by the lighting design of Wesley Maherry and video installation by
Clare Craighead, it is a multifaceted performance not to be missed. The final
show will be performed tomorrow (April 28) at 15h00 at the Elizabeth Sneddon
Theatre. - Kamini Govender
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