The impact, or rather the collision of these
worlds, teaches us as humanity and a community that we are to take care of each
other, moving as one with water. (Review by Marcia Mzindle)
It’s a wonderful
Friday night, and the weather is crisp cool tonight (April 11, 2025), we gather
at the Sneddon Theatre to indulge with our hearts and soul on an offering from
the Flatfoot Dance Company work titled Bodies
of Water choreographed by Lliane Loots in collaboration with the dancers
(Jabu Siphika, Zinhle Nzama, Sifiso Khumalo, Siseko Duba, Sbonga Ndlovu, and
Ndumiso ‘Digga’ Dube).
It is a work that plays on the passage of time and the human condition and explores how we relate to bodies of water as artistic and political metaphors for survival.
As I walk into the theatre, I am visually transported to the beach as a full-screen projection of the waves of the ocean continuously plays and takes up the cyclorama. The floor, resembling/dressed in white flooring to replicate sand, and the soothing crashing sound of waves play in the background. On the stage, upstage right, a setting for percussion instruments played by Mandla Matsha.
The show opens with a serene live sound of the violin by Refiloe Olifant, wearing a flowing linen shirt and skirt; a soft spotlight lights her with gentle ambers of light-catching her from the sides as if representing the sun rays gently shining on her before it sets.
The dancers are also dressed in flowing light fabric costumes, some wearing plain white and others an all-soft grey colour, mirroring the image of the projection of the waves and against the backdrop, capturing them as water as they move fluidly across the stage. Replicating and conveying the divinity within and around us, the power in unity, and becoming one body.
The play against the projection of crashing waves and the live violin leaves a hypnotic effect, almost pulling us to the deep end of the water, as if a call to settle in our thoughts, feelings and introspect. Musically, the sound score shifts to, and other times all at once, from the violin, Djembe Drum, flute, to istolotolo (mouth harp), shakers, and the alluring singing voice from Sifiso Khumalo.
To be given life by and to be composed by water is such a wonder, gift and a poetic exchange and offering. It takes care of us in ways that we do not even need to think of on a day-to-day basis and enables us to be also well physically and spiritually. Something so pure it can quench our thirst and yet so mighty it can destroy with a single roar.
I contemplate about this performance and draw on the flowing of water as the passing of time, changes and growth we gain as part of our human experience. To the complexities of the unpredictable floods, droughts and rainfall, the environment around us also bleeds.
The impact, or rather the collision of these worlds, teaches us as humanity and a community that we are to take care of each other, moving as one with water. To look deep and within and see through, as I quote Veda Austin, who shares with us through a played voiceover offering statements from feminist water activists from all over the world that “water is a mirror to the divinity within us, it is the house of the divine.” - Marcia Mzindle
Tickets are available through Webtickets at Pick n Pay outlets or online at:
General admission R120 (R95 students, scholars, pensioners). Block Booking of 10 or more tickets R95. School’s Consignment R60.
https://www.webtickets.co.za/event.aspx?itemid=1565681310
Smart Shopper
Discounted Ticket (buy 1 full price ticket and get 1 @ discounted cost of R95)
Age restriction: No under six years or babies in arms
Remaining performance: April 13 – 14h30
For additional information visit https://www.facebook.com/flatfootdancecompany
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