Exit/Exist - eclectic fusion breathes life to warrior

 

Exit/Exist will have its European premiere in Belgium, at the KVS Theatre in Brussels 15, 16 December 2011

 

Prior and as a testing ground, it will feature in Brugge (Belgium) 09 December as part of the December Dance curated by Akram Khan who was one of the artistic contributors in Maqoma’s Beautiful Me.

 

This work will have its world premiere at the 2012 Dance Umbrella on the 17, 18 and 19 February in South Africa.

 

Exit/Exist is a new production after 4 years of success of Beautiful Me, bringing together the creative elements of great artists who inspire Gregory Maqoma. It is a work that interrogates on a deeper level the artistic relationship between Gregory and James Ngcobo. It brings together the skills of Simphiwe Dana’s music that continues to ring in Greg’s ear, tracing back the historical path and struggles of the Xhosa nation. This work also opens a new chapter as the first for Gregory and award winning South African top fashion designer David Tlale to lock heads.

 

The core of this piece is memory; rephrasing the notion of existence and the notion of simply existing in order to exist. Exit/Exist takes a moment to pause; to look back; to rewind the tape to the days when the tapestry of South Africa was about the collision of biographies. Maqoma, a renowned chief of the Xhosa nation is at odds with the English over the possession of cattle. The animosity that was brewing at the time, left Gregory and James with a body of work that they have used in putting together this production. A deliberate choice of less exposition and a bigger emphasis on how they use the visual element to tell this tale, while underpinning the musicality, that they hope will evoke the spirit of the time. Maqoma to them is not only an iconic figure of Xhosa land but a figure of historical transformation, the custodian of a movement of a people that cleared the path to the emancipation that he spent his whole life yearning for.

 

All angles have been taken care of to draw wisdom from all spheres within the industry. Gregory Maqoma (concept/choreography/performer), James Ngcobo (director/scriptwriter), Simphiwe Dana (music composer), Giuliano Modarelli (guitarist), Complete (acapella), Sibulele Gcilitshana (narrator), Shanell Winlock (rehearsal director), David Tlale (costume design), Oliver Hauser (lighting and set design), Mileta Postic (animator) and Kentse Mpahlwa (sound design).

 

James has appeared at London's Young Vic in The Revolution, toured the United States in The Horn of Sorrow, toured Britain in The Cherry Orchard, performed in SizweBanzi is Dead at Britain's Festival Hall and awarded the 2007 Best Director for the Suitcase at the Naledi Awards.

 

Simphiwe is one of South Africa’s most soulful singers. Apart from already winning two METRO FM Music Awards 2010 for Best Female and Best Contemporary Jazz Album, she has also claimed the No. 1 spot on the German World Music Charts and the number 3 spot on the European Music Charts.

 

Giuliano is originally from Italy, an eclectic guitarist unique in his style. He has been writing for theatre and dance, touring nationally and internationally, has developed various music projects and performs regularly throughout the UK and abroad. 

 

The production also highlights the skill of 4 singers from an acapella group COMPLETE, who worked at the Market Theatre production  Songs of migration, and regularly feature in Hugh Masekela’s performances.

 

Exit/Exist is coproduced by Vuyani Dance Theatre (SA), KVS (Belgium), Theatre de la Ville (Paris) and Dance Umbrella (SA)

 

Vuyani Dance Theatre is funded by the National Lottery Distribution Trust Fund (NLDTF)

 

VDT’s patrons are Judge Edwin Cameron, Advocate Pinky Mokgatla, and Consular Paul Mees

 

For more information about Vuyani Dance Theatre call 011 838 7666 or email info@vuyani.co.za

 

 ENDS

 

Thami Makhanya – Marketing (VDT)