Mamela Nyamza
Hatched Ensemble
In a captivating choreography with ten ballet dancers, an opera singer and a live musician, South African choreographer Mamela Nyamza creates a poetic and visually powerful universe of new dance history. The dancers balance on pointe shoes with their backs to the audience while Camille Saint-Saëns’ famous melody “The Swan” plays. With subtle gestures and great precision, they juxtapose the music and movement vocabulary of different cultures and break down attributions. In Hatched Ensemble, Mamela Nyamza continues her exploration of identity and belonging, (gender) norms and tradition and not only devotes herself to the deconstruction and disenchantment of classical Western dance history, but also reflects on her personal biography as a Black lesbian mother and artist.
Concept, choreography, direction: Mamela Nyamza
Dancers: Kirsty Ndawo, Amohelang Rooiland, Itumeleng Chiloane, Khaya Ndlovu, Thamsanqa Tshabalala, Kearabetswe Mogotsi, Noluyanda Mqulwana, Thimna Sitokisi, Zandile Constable, Tania Mteto
Opera Singing: Litho Nqai
Live Traditional Music: Given “Azah” Mphago
Rehearsal Direction: Kirty Ndwao
Management Lighting, Stage, Sound: David Hlatshwayo
Technical Direction: Thabo Pule, Elena Ruiz Lencioni
Costume Co-Design: Mamela Nyamza, Bhungane Mehlomakulu
Management: Nomsa Hani
Supported by the Alliance of International Production Houses and the Federal Government Commissioner for Culture and the Media.
Co-produced by National Arts Council (NAC) and Makhanda Standard Bank National Arts Festival (NAF). Supported by Moving into Dance (MID) and #Friendswhosupportartists.