THE GOLD RHINO OF MAPUNGUBWE: Two Act Ballet 16 scenes. Music: Mark Cheyne, Dr Cara Stacey, Mpho Molikeng, Matthijs van Dijk, SJ Khosa, Wouter Kellerman. Lyrics: Dr Reuel J Khosa, Wouter Kellerman, Dikelo Mamiala. Musical arrangements: Mark Cheyne, Matthijs van Dijk. Mark Cheyne directs the South African State Theatre Youth Choir, Gauteng Chamber Orchestra. Singers: Lehlohonolo Onica Sehowa, Nkululeko Blessing Nkambule. Choreography: Angela Revie. Co-Choreographer: Mdu Nhlapho. Costume Designs: David Tlale. Set, Production Design: Andrew Botha. Presented by Mzansi Ballet. Baxter Theatre.
SHEILA CHISHOLM reviewed opening night
In his public address Dirk Badenhorst, Mzanzi’s CEO and idea originator spoke about his team taking four years to pull The Gold Rhino of Mapungubwe together. Time well spent as the ballet has potential to be taken up by national and international companies. The original score, by above-named composers, is ideally suited to the classical, Afro, contemporary and acrobatic techniques fused by choreographers to unfurl this fascinating story. It travels from the Rhino’s forging in the Middle Ages, until centuries later the explorer van Graan (Ruxin Bi), and his selfish friend (Donoven Havenga) unearths it. Finely tuned recordings support singers Sehowa and Nkambule and the State Theatre Youth Choir.(Dipping the sound a trifle would allow the narrators words to be clearly heard).
I’ve watched many excellent video/projection designs, but confess these were way beyond any I have seen. Combined with magnificent lighting plots, the barren landscapes, stone/rock configurations, sky, fire, flames, smoke, transported me right into the heart of Africa. Yet, surprisingly, never overwhelmed the dancers or choreographers’ inventive choreography.
Past and present happenings
Pleasing was the performance by Monica Dumekude as the Princess, and Veronica Louw as the Bird. Both are graceful, well-trained dancers. So too are Angela Revie and Kiana Prinsloo as corps leaders. Thato Nkwe as the King and Javier Monier Jnr as Prime Minister have enviable elevation and batterie. Ruxin Bi and Havenga clearly differentiated their characters – Bi the upright responsible explorer, Havenga his avaricious companion. In costumes appropriate to past and present happenings, The Gold Rhino of Mapungubwe concluded with a joyous whirling. Do go.
What: The Gold Rhino of Mapungubwe
Where and when: Baxter Theatre from 7 to 17 February 2024
Tickets: Webtickets
WS
