Dance Umbrella presents a feast of explosive dance and rousing rhythms from the South African townships
Following the announcement of MOS by Ioanna Paraskevopoulou, Dance Umbrella announces a second show in the 2023 Festival programme. Intoxicating expression and pulsating rhythms combine as the award-winning South African dance company Via Katlehong returns to the Dance Umbrella Festival, to make their Sadler’s Wells debut.
Via Injabulo is a celebration of global movement styles, which brings together choreography from two sought-after creatives on the international scene Marco Da Silva Ferreira and Amala Dianor, the work is a twist on the pantsula – a vibrant and passionate dance that came into existence during the apartheid regime – and incorporates other dances, such as tap, step and gumboot.
For the first work in Via Injabulo, førm Inførms, Marco da Silva Ferreira explores the collective identity of the dance. Pantsula, house dance and other street dance styles are shaken into a cocktail of pulsating energy.
In Emaphakathini, Franco-Senegalese choreographer Amala Dianor draws on the personal histories of the performers to pull down boundaries between people and dance disciplines. The aim is to create a common new space, an “in-between space”, or Emaphakathini in Zulu.
This is a rare and exciting opportunity to see the combination of these two international choreographers working with Via Katlehong on one the biggest stages for dance in the country. The result is one big feast of rousing rhythms and shared spirit. Shouting, whistling, stamping your feet, clapping your hands. The infectious dancing of eight dancers pulsates with the rhythms and heartbeat of the townships.
Via Injabulo by Via Katlehong: Fri 27 - Sat 28 October, 7.30pm, Sadler’s Wells
Further Information: What's on (sadlerswells.com)