17 - 21 March 2010
Contemporary Dance

Durban’s illustrious Flatfoot Dance Company begins it 2010 performance year with a knock out summer season. “Talking Spirits” features 3 invited guest choreographers making 3 new dance theatre works with the seven highly skilled Flatfoot dancers.

The ‘talking spirits’ of this season are the three choreographers from different geographical spaces and places all using dance to conjure up their own particular brand of talking dance that will both delight and hold audiences spellbound. The ‘talking spirits’ of this season are also the works themselves; choreographic impulses that understand African ritual, desires for home and belonging, and the embracing of chance music tunes on a FM radio as the soundtrack of our lives.

The evening begins with Sifiso Majola’s“Akundlela Engayi Ekhaya”, a haunting duet that smolders with unresolved challenges, the need to make choices and then finally, deciding to live with no regrets. This work was initially commissioned by the FNB Dance Umbrella in 2009, and this offers Durban audiences a chance to see one of our newest choreographic stars, showcase his dance work.

The second work on the programme is a world premier for the Flatfoot Dance Company!  Jürg Koch, having traveled all the way from Seattle USA to work with Flatfoot, has spent the last five weeks creating a quirky and lyrically challenging work called “meanwhile”. Dancers move in lateral progressions across the stage, missing one another, connecting sometimes and all the while a chance turn on the dial of a FM radio makes the soundtrack. “meanwhile” is about all the important stuff that goes on in our lives while we busy ourselves with getting through each day.

Also premiering is the third and final work on the programme. Johannesburg based Sifiso E. Kweyama has crafted a haunting ritual dance theatre work for Flatfoot called “circle”.  This work began as an exploration of traditional values around story-telling and its place in both ancient and contemporary African society. It involved each of the dancers using this platform to also negotiate their ‘stories’ and so the work has a very private and intimate sensibility. It is a combination of heart-stopping contemporary dance technique, in a style that has made Kweyama a much sought after teacher and choreographer, with a tender social conscience and is sure to prove deeply moving!

Artistic Director of Flatfoot, Lliane Loots, says that “this season of cotemporary dance is going to be intriguing and captivating and will not disappoint audiences. It has been a rare privilege to have three such gifted choreographer’s guest with the company and offer them such remarkable challenges – challenges that the audience will certainly enjoy”.

Tickets: R65 (or R50 concession for students, pensioners and scholars)
Thursday 18th is “Cheap Thursday” where all tickets are R45!

FOR MORE INFORMATION OR TO SET UP INTERVIEWS, PLEASE CONTACT
LLIANE LOOTS ON:
Tel: 031 – 260 1142 (w)
Email: This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it