Skip to main content

Breaking The Cycle

In a society where we are constantly forced to conform to pressure and the status quo, nothing gets as much attention as protest does. I'm not talking toyi-toying down the streets kind of protest, no. I am talking using the body to defy the norm and speak up.

Breaking the Cycle, choreographed and performed by Funeka Ramorula, was out to speak up, protest. He used dance to say to the world, I am who and what I am. His piece conveyed messages we know all too well, issues of finding Self in a society that's constantly looking to change you and make you who they want you to be. We missed a connection with the performer on more occasions than one, his face was rather invisible - maybe as a form of protest - but for those of us who do not know dance, we would have liked to pick up some of his emotions through his facial expressions. As a horrible dancer, I wondered if my thoughts of 'I can do that' every time he jumped or swayed on stage, meant that he makes it look easy or it really is easy, or something was missing. On the other hand, the voice-over is one element that needs to be looked into. Besides the sound being 'scratchy', it was difficult having to try and grab what was being said and at the same time connect it to the dance on stage. It wasn't the language (which I picked up to be Xitsonga) that was making it difficult but hearing difficulties drew a line between the two mediums. The concept is good, but it needs re-working. You don't want to leave the Theatre knowing you're not coming back for the next show - it needs to be a battle.

Wherever you - break the cycle.

Comments

Popular posts from this blog

THE CRY OF WINNIE MANDELA: DEPARTURES. WAITINGS. RETURNS.

SHOW: The Cry of Winnie Mandela  WHERE: The Market Theatre Laboratory WHEN: 04 May 2024 DIRECTOR: Momo Matsunyane August was Women's Month in South Africa, where we commerate the brave Womxn of 1956 on the 9th who were tired of waiting.  Over the years, I have come to use the day to reflect on my own personal experiences and draw inspiration from the Womxn in my life. Ibandla lam'. 'The Cry of Winnie Mandela' adapted for stage by Alex Burger, spoiled us with songs and amongst them was this timeless hymn:  "Bohang seema, ha ba hlaha ka kgoro Jerusalema e mocha..." Those that are familiar with groups of Womxn will tell you that in their meetings, conversations can easily move from marital and relationship bliss - or bleak as is the case with the Womxn in this play - through the latest news, down to song and wailing prayers. Different emotions were invoked with each song as 'Ibandla la Bafazi Abalindileyo' took us through their jou...

FINDING ME, VIOLA DAVIS

  "My entire life had been struggle and survival. I'd been on my own since age seventeen. The fact that it was hard, shitty, was nothing new, but the biggest struggle was keeping hope and belief in myself. Then, finding an art community for support while fighting my ass off to stay alive." - Viola Davis in her book, 'Finding Me' My biggest beef with poverty is that it sets one a million steps back. Poverty and lack will have you questioning your worth even when you receive what you have tirelessly worked your ass off for. Your voice is in constant fear-mode on subjects you're well-versed on. Your confidence is almost non-existent in rooms you deem above you. Saying 'no' is not part of your vocabulary because you always consider others before you. Yet, you are capable and deserving. More than deserving. Because who, if not you? Getting out of this pit is one of the most difficult things one has to go through. Unfortunately, a majority of Bla...

Born A Crime: a long awaited review by the Protégé

Born A Crime: a long awaited review by the Protégé It’s been well over a year since I read Trevor Noah’s Born A Crime; and I remember swearing to Self that I will review it as soon as I was done *insert laughing emojis*. Little did I know that I was going to live it (consciously so) more than reviewing it – this is one of the books I read in 2017 that was top of my Books I Would Recommend list, pretty much to anyone. Fast forward to 2018, Winter Recess, and my 13 YEAR OLD (I had to - #Pride people) nephew finds this gem on their visit. I tell him there’s a book he needs to read and essay (read review) before they leave and he didn’t waste any time. But first, he had to remind me that I robbed him of the chance to finish Chimamanda Ngozi Adichie’s Purple Hibiscus back in 2016 (circumstances, very special circumstances) when he was halfway through the book. Born A Crime was an intellectual debt transaction between an aunt and her nephew. Below is MK the Poet’s (as he c...