South African choreographer Ananda Fuchs once again teams with Swedish composer Tebogo Monnakgotla to create a new work of dance and theatre. The global economy and its effect on the individual come under the spotlight again in this contemporary dance piece with a specific focus on senior citizens. Two focus groups came together in South Africa and in Sweden to talk about second lives, post-retirement, fulfilling unrealised dreams and the relationship between them and the systems that are in place. Out of this research Struck Silent was born.
The best of Swedish and South African talent comes together in this unique creative collaboration. This time, the development of the production took place in Sweden where it will have its world premiere at the brand new premises of the Performing Arts Sörmlandsleden in Munktellstaden, Eskilstuna.
The dancers are Gunilla Hammar (Sweden) and Shaun Oelf and Thabisa Dinga from Cape Town, while the three musicians Åsa Karlberg (flute), Elemér Lavotha (cello) and Jonny Axelsson (percussion), are all from Sweden. Grant van Ster is the assistant choreographer, costume and set design is by Wiklund Wiklund (Sweden), lighting design by the Baxter's Head of Lighting, Bennie Arendse, and Oscar O'Ryan is responsible for videography and photography.
Baxter CEO and artistic director Lara Foot and Scenkonst Sörmland director Maria Weisby met in Johannesburg in 1996 and realised straight away that they shared a common interest in, and curiosity about, how society works, how politics affects theatre, and how theatre can transform society. "We believe it is serendipitous that now, more than a decade later, we find ourselves involved with, and responsible for, this incredibly dynamic project and collaboration," says Foot. "It has been funded as an exchange that would involve research groups. This means that it allows the art to come directly from civil society and in turn it is filtered through the artists."
Scenkonst Sörmland is a regional Swedish organisation for the performing arts that covers music, theatre, dance and film. Annually, the organisation produces over 1200 performances through collaborations with professional musical ensembles of all genres, independent theatres and dance groups, and municipal cultural authorities. This joint venture with the Baxter Theatre Centre is a three-year project with a view to create and develop a new and different work each year.
Struck Silent previews at the Baxter Flipside on 9 September, opens on 10 September and runs until 13 September at 6.30pm nightly, with a matinee on Saturday, 13 September at 2pm. There is a schools performance at 11am on Thursday, 11 September. Tickets cost R100 and booking is through Computicket on 0861 915 8000, online at www.computicketcom or at any Shoprite Checkers outlet. For discounted school or group block bookings, fundraisers or charities contact Sharon Ward on +27 (0)21 680 3962 or email az.ca.tcu@draw.norahs or Carmen Kearns on +27 (0)21 680 3993 or email her at az.ca.tcu@snraek.nemrac.
