With The Sacrifice, choreographer Dada Masilo explores the minimalism and animality of Tswana dance through the lens of Igor Stravinsky’s Rite of Spring. For the choreographer, who grew up in South Africa in a Xhosa environment, the question wasn’t just to bring together different dances, as she usually does, but to explore her own origins and to work on markers of identity: collective chants, rites, and beyond that, the desire for sacrifice. “To ask something of the ancestors, you have to be able to give something in return.” If The Sacrifice is the reflection of her Motswana heritage, it is first and foremost an exploration of the pain and suffering humans can inflict on each other. It that really necessary for change? What must we sacrifice? How can we start again differently? On the stage, four musicians et twelve dancers form a community whose humour and rites make cruelty just bearable.
Distribution
With Dada Masilo, Sinazo Bokolo, Refiloe Mogoje, Thandiwe Mqokeli, Lwando Dutyulwa, Thuso Lobeko, Llewellyn Mnguni, Steven Mokone, Kyle Heinz Rossouw, Lebo Seodigeng, Thami Tshabalala, Tshepo Zasekhaya And the musicians Ann Masina, Tlale Makhene, Leroy Mapholo, Nathi Shongwe
Choreography Dada Masilo Music Ann Masina, Tlale Makhene, Leroy Mapholo, Nathi Shongwe Costumes David Hutt
Production
ProductionThe Dance Factory (Johannesburg) In partnership with France Médias Monde
We regret to inform you that the artistic team of Dada Masilo's show The Sacrifice can't leave South Africa and perform the show scheduled for the 75th edition. Several members of the team are affected by Covid-19.