May 30, 2006
By Thabang Mokoka
Two thought-provoking dance pieces by women choreographers take to the Joburg stage in June in the Moving Into Dance Mophatong production, Secrets and Journeys.
The performances - Blankets of Shame by Sylvia Magogo Glasser and Once in Our Life, the Journey Begins by Sbonakaliso Ndaba - are on at the Dance Factory in Newtown from Wednesday 7 June until Sunday 11 June.
Glasser's work focuses on issues facing women today and explores the concepts of stigma and denial. She uses the body, the costumes, the lighting and the music to create imagery that runs the gamut of women's experiences: from birth to death, from love and lust to brutality and abuse - as well as healing.
"The medium of dance is accessible; it can communicate this message," says Glasser.
Sonia Radebe in Blankets of Shame, on at the Dance Factory in Newtown
(Photo: John Hogg)
Blankets of Shame was inspired philosopher Hillel the Elder's questions "If I am not for myself, then who will be for me? If I am only for myself, then what am I? If not now, when?"
Muzi Shili and Thoko Seganye, senior members of Moving Into Dance Mophatong, worked closely with Glasser on Blankets of Shame.
Zimbabwean- born guitarist Louis Mhlanga and Nhlanhla Mahlangu composed the music, which includes songs performed by Mahlangu and Itumeleng Hlapane.
Leigh Nudelman, a graduate of the Wits School of the Performing Arts, designed the set - an integral part of the performance. Costumes are by Veronica Sham and lighting is by David Hlatshwayo.
Blankets of Shame is supported by the Arts and Culture Trust, the National Arts Council and the National Lottery Development Trust Fund.
Once in our Life
Ndaba's
Once in Our Life, the Journey Begins deals with the stories people keep deep in their souls, the elements that makes them human. "Everyone has many stories about different things they have experienced and about things that they think and feel," Ndaba says.
The dance explores the telling of these stories; how ways are found to resolve intimate issues. The work delves into the concept that "however different our stories are, it is our humanness that make us able empathise with the experience of others", Ndaba says.
Music for this piece is by James Asher.
A performance of Secrets and Journeys for schools will be held at 11am on 7 June. There is a parental guidance recommendation on Blankets of Shame.
The other performances are from Thursday 8 June to Saturday 10 June at 7.30pm and on Sunday 11 June at 2.30pm.
Tickets are R45 and are available from Computicket. Discounts are available to members of Moving Into Dance Mophatong, for block bookings, or on presentation of a student card. For more information call 011 838 2816.
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