New dance theatre explores democracy
A collaboration between two choreographers has resulted in the new show, fragile.
DURBAN’S inimitable Flatfoot Dance Company begins its 11th year in 2014 with a full blown performance season of new dance works to lure, cajole, amuse and entertain audiences.
Entitled fragile, this dance season, which takes place from 12 to 15 March at the Elizabeth Sneddon Theatre, features the pairing up of long time choreographic partners David Gouldie and Lliane Loots. Both of them have enjoyed two previous joint seasons together, the first of which saw them being awarded the prestigious KZN DanceLink award for choreography.
While Gouldie and Loots have divergent choreographic styles and roots, the two have found a working synergy that speaks of mutual respect and a deep understanding of the need to truly honour the power of the South African dancing body to tell stories. Fragile offers a contemplative and highly charged season of new dance theatre. With 20 years of democracy being celebrated, Gouldie and Loots, and the incomparable talent of the six resident Flatfoot dancers, Sifiso Khumlo, Tshediso Kabulu, Sifiso Majola, Jabu Siphika, Julia Wilson and Zinhle Nzama, begin to pick apart any grand images of rainbows and dive fearlessly into the personal and political waters of our 20 years of good dreams and painful nightmares.
Fragile runs from the 12 to 16 March with shows at 7.30pm each evening and a 3pm matinee on Sunday 16 March. Booking is open at Computicket and tickets cost between R60 and R85.
Thursday’s performance features a special after show Dance Talks Back, hosted by awarding winning arts journalist Adrienne Sichel in conversations with Loots, Gouldie and the dancers. This is a unique opportunity to listen to the dancers and choreographers unpack and answer questions about their work. Sichel comes to Durban as a guest from The Ar(t)chive at the Wits School of Arts.
