INTERPLAY Programme A. Three choreographers/five dance works. Artistic Director: Debbie Turner. Presented by Cape Dance Company.
SHEILA CHISHOLM reviews
INTERPLAY’s Programme A comprising five works by three choreographers proved, yet again, that a Cape Dance Company (CDC) production can be relied upon to be polished, well costumed, novelly lit and of high technical neo-classical/contemporary levels.
The opening work by Mthuthuzeli November – Sun: The Rite of Passage – represented a contemporary insight on a historical Xhosa Khweta (circumcision) ceremony. For this November used 32 corps dancers supporting Carmen Lotz as the mother anxious about her umkhwetha son (Odwa Makanda) awaiting initiation into adulthood. November’s music choice of a Peter Johnson piece proved an excellent accessory to grounded movements based on the grand-plie position, little foot runs, body rolls and port de bras kept close to the body. These represented earth’s important connection to this ritual.
For Visceral, November again used Johnson’s music and CDC’s full company. In contrast to Sun, big, open, wide, frenzied movements of couples spinning together, leaping and turning, showed that in both his numbers, November can create interesting moves. When he learns always to match choreography to themes (as he did in Sun) he’ll make a great choreographer.
Eye-catching shapes, haunting beats
Kirsten Isenberg’s talent for carving her classical ballet-trained dancers into eye-catching shapes has been applauded many times. Set to music by Nils Frahm and Ezio Bosso in Hush, Isenberg chose a topical theme to explore. However, although well danced in stylised Elizabethan costumes, the power behind her choreography did not follow her programme notes concerning the “voiceless abused”. Further expositions on this theme will help maintain continued awareness about this scourge.
CDC’s artistic director Debbie Turner chose to repeat American choreographer Christopher L Huggins’s With Dawn Comes… and Bolero. With Dawn Comes… began with a dimly lit stage showing four negligee-clad dancers, curled up asleep downstage. Gradually as lighting changed from night to dawn to day, the dancers woke to happily spend the time in everyday activities, until it was time to sleep again. Well danced When Dawn Comes … required no synopsis – the choreography and title said it all.
Wearing customary red and black costumes, Huggins opened Bolero with his cast upstage in an east to west line, some sitting and some standing. Suddenly a couple burst free to spring into action. Gradually, as Ravel’s hypnotic music gathered its crescendo, dancers, in varying numbers and groupings came forward matching their energy to the haunting snare-drum beat. Huggins ended this entertaining theatrical piece in a frenzied swirl of bodies and a blackout.
INTERPLAY follows Turner’s customary neo-classical/contemporary styled presentations. However, perhaps it’s time for her to consider moving beyond this to introduce comic zappy works to change pace, character and interest. Just a thought.
What: Interplay – Cape Dance Company
When and where: Artscape from 4 – 11 November 2017
Book: Computicket or Dial-a-Seat 021 421 7695
WS
