Flatfoot presents total theatre experience in Bhakti
Flatfoot dancers and the resident Playhouse dancers will perform in Bhakti, a spoken word, music and dance work.
FLATFOOT Dance Company in collaboration with Playhouse Dance Residency is proud to present a unique award-winning spoken word, music and dance work titled Bhakti, which will be performed at the Playhouse from 28 to 31 May.
This dance work is part of the Playhouse New Stages May 2015 offerings and was first created by artistic director of Flatfoot, and choreographer, Lliane Loots in 2010 and went on, in 2011 to travel to the National Arts Festival in Grahamstown in 2011, where it won one of the converted Ovation Awards.
Bhakti, the Sanskrit word for devotion, is a dance theatre work that offers a unique journey into the meeting of Eastern mystical philosophy and African contemporary dance rhythms.
Joining Loots in Bhakti are four of Durban’s most celebrated classical Indian dancers, among these is a gifted veteran Kathak dancer Manesh Maharaj whose deep commitment to this ancient classical dance form has garnered a huge following of his work in both South Africa and India alike.
Spoken word poet, and Durban’s politically astute and word defying darling, Iain ewok Robinson, re-joins the cast and once again blends his street-style word rhymes with the ancient wisdom of Rumi’s poetry.
Karen Logan’s inimitable film style offers close up images of hand mudras, of ancient texts coming to life on the stage; all of this blending in Loots’s layered choreographic award winning style that offers audiences a total theatre experience.
Adding the soundscape to this theatrical dance milestone is veteran musician Madala Kunene whose maskanda guitar echoes haunting rhythms for the dancers.
Also joining him is master djembe drummer, Mandla Matsha, who has often collaborated with Loots on her various choreographic works.
Completing the trio of musicians is tabla player Vishen Kemraj whose extraordinary drumming skills are known internationally. In a sound perfect fusion these three musicians weave an original score for the dancers as they too, offer up theatrical devotions for the audience.
Bookings can be made through Computicket or at the box office on the night (pending availability of tickets). Adult tickets are R85 and R20 for a schools’ matinee. There are 10 per cent and 20 per cent discounts for block of more than 10 and 50 people respectively.
Contact Lliane Loots on lootsl@ukzn.ac.za or call 031 260 1142.
