CELEBRATED poet Lesego Rampolokeng and choreographer Nelisiwe Xaba present an exciting theatre production, Bantu Ghost, from tomorrow for a brief season at the Market Theatre in Newtown.
CELEBRATED poet Lesego Rampolokeng and choreographer Nelisiwe Xaba present an exciting theatre production, Bantu Ghost, from tomorrow for a brief season at the Market Theatre in Newtown.
Written by Rampolekeng, the piece combines dramatic poetry with Xaba's experimental dance style.
Rampolokeng says the show is a tribute to liberation icon Steven Bantu Biko on the 30th commemoration of his death.
The show also pays tribute to black thinkers such as Aime Cesaire, Franz Fanon, Robert Sobukwe, Amilcar Cabral, Patrice Lumumba and Amiri Baraka.
Premiering last year in Grahamstown, the show received mixed reactions.
"Many thought it was a good show while others believed they were swallowed by the words," Xaba says.
Xaba, an accomplished dancer, says she was brought in to translate Mpolokeng's poetry into dance.
"The show is politically motivated. It talks about Steve Biko and the current political situation. There is no straight line in the show. It is composed of images from Lesego's previous works."
Xaba points out that though it wasn't always easy to work with Rampolokeng, the show turned out well.
"Lesego can be difficult and as a dancer I needed to understand the piece completely so that I can provided a true translation.
"But he is a true professional."
The show closes on September 6.
Poetic tribute to Biko
CELEBRATED poet Lesego Rampolokeng and choreographer Nelisiwe Xaba present an exciting theatre production, Bantu Ghost, from tomorrow for a brief season at the Market Theatre in Newtown.
CELEBRATED poet Lesego Rampolokeng and choreographer Nelisiwe Xaba present an exciting theatre production, Bantu Ghost, from tomorrow for a brief season at the Market Theatre in Newtown.
Written by Rampolekeng, the piece combines dramatic poetry with Xaba's experimental dance style.
Rampolokeng says the show is a tribute to liberation icon Steven Bantu Biko on the 30th commemoration of his death.
The show also pays tribute to black thinkers such as Aime Cesaire, Franz Fanon, Robert Sobukwe, Amilcar Cabral, Patrice Lumumba and Amiri Baraka.
Premiering last year in Grahamstown, the show received mixed reactions.
"Many thought it was a good show while others believed they were swallowed by the words," Xaba says.
Xaba, an accomplished dancer, says she was brought in to translate Mpolokeng's poetry into dance.
"The show is politically motivated. It talks about Steve Biko and the current political situation. There is no straight line in the show. It is composed of images from Lesego's previous works."
Xaba points out that though it wasn't always easy to work with Rampolokeng, the show turned out well.
"Lesego can be difficult and as a dancer I needed to understand the piece completely so that I can provided a true translation.
"But he is a true professional."
The show closes on September 6.
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