Figure of 8 Dance Theatre will present the dramedy, Love, Levies and Lies on 4 and 5 September 2026 at Theatre Arts, Observatory.
Contemporary dance company Figure of 8 Dance Theatre is known for their evocative and ground-breaking dance theatre productions. At the heart of the company is its annual Performance Development Programme, which trains emerging artists to become versatile, high-quality performers.
This year, Figure of 8 expands its training and performance repertoire with an annual acting showcase, furthering its commitment to developing well-rounded dance artists – performers who can move beyond the traditional boundaries and preconceptions of dance.
The dramedy, Love, Levies and Lies, explores the realities of Gen-z’s navigating adulthood in today’s world.
Friendship, romance and alliance up for negotiation
Seven twenty-somethings. One flat. One landlord. One problem.
When an eviction notice lands on their doorstep, a close-knit Cape Town house share begins to unravel. The lease allows six occupants – but seven people call the flat home. Suddenly every friendship, romance and alliance is up for negotiation.
Although more text-driven than Figure of 8 Dance Theatre’s usual work, the production stays true to the company’s distinctive physical language, by incorporating moments of stylised movement, subtly blurring the lines between theatre and dance for which FO8 is known for.
Since the award-winning Karatara in 2022, Figure of 8 has collaborated on various occasions with writer Wilken Calitz. For Love, Levies and Lies, Calitz came on board as the writer following conversations and creative writing exercises with the young performers themselves.
This is also not Nell van der Merwe’s first collaboration with Figure of 8 Dance Theatre. Known for her striking lighting and projection work, her previous collaborations with the company include Die Een wat Bly, Wings of Light and The Reservation. For Love, Levies and Lies, Van der Merwe steps into the director’s chair alongside Figure of 8 Dance Theatre’s Grant van Ster. She is also responsible for the set and lighting design, developed in collaboration with Figure of 8 Dance Theatre.
Well-known local artist Claude Chandler took inspiration from Cape Town ‘s street art enhancing the scenography of the set.
What: Love, Levies and Lies
Where and when: 4 and 5 September 2026 at Theatre Arts, Observatory
Tickets: Theatre Arts
WS
