Fiona Gordon: Debbie Turner’s Cape Dance Company presents a season of contemporary dance, with works by top choreographers.
Honestly, I really considered missing this one. Now don’t get me wrong – I knew the performance would be of a high standard, and I would enjoy it, and all. But in the middle of what might well be called Cape Town’s ‘Month of Dance’ – I am well aware that at some point, one saturates. And I had seen, in performance, every piece on this programme, bar one. And so it was in the end the promise of one particular piece that got me there, but I’m not in the least sorry I went. In fact, I can’t quite believe I considered not going…
The scope of the Artscape Theatre stage does much more justice to these works than could possibly be done at a festival, or smaller venue, which is where most of their audience would have seen them. Instead of the usual black, both the mats and curtain surround are white, allowing the lighting to really feature, which has an extremely positive effect on the visuals and mood throughout.
The dancers are focused, and exhibit strong long lines and a sensitivity to the dance. They perform with an obvious integrity, and move comfortably in and around the space, with remarkable ‘flow’. Many of the dances display particularly feminine qualities, expressed often in the movement of the hips, and often costumed with long hair flowing.
The programme begins with ‘Treasures of the Heart’, choreographed by former principal dancer of the Alvin Ailey American Dance Theater, Michael Thomas. Kitty Phetla’s piece is just lovely – and features a delightfully flirty duet between Mila de Biaggi and James Bradley. Gregory Maqoma’s ‘Molo Wethu’ also combines the sensual elements of femininity and playfulness in a successful whole.
The piece I went to see was Mamela Nyamza’s ‘i-Dolls’, and my instincts were right. Bubblegum, hairdryers, lipstick and high heels… Using pedestrian movement and clothes, with her signature movement style as the base, this piece pokes fun at the modelling industry in a way that is both very funny, and poignant.
The second act has a decidedly more masculine element, as the technical strength of the company is featured in two successful pieces – Debbie Turner’s ‘Gladius’, and what has become a signature piece for this company, Sbonakalisa Ndaba’s ‘Indlela’ – both of which I enjoyed, despite their length, and having seen them more than once before.
Which just goes to show – there is no such thing as a repeat performance…
The Cape Dance Company performs as part of a programme of three different shows presented on by the Cape Academy of Performing Arts. Performances of all three productions are at the Artscape Theatre from Tuesday 3 to Sunday 8 November 2009. Tickets, at R85 for Cape Dance Company and R70 for Cape Academy of Performing Arts and Headshots, are available from Computicket or Dial-a-Seat 021 421 7695.
Fiona Gordon
fiona@artslink.co.za
www.artslink.co.za
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