The Sacrifice

Studying little-known dances and fusing them with contemporary dance and classical ballet has always fascinated Dada Masilo. In this show, the choreographer and dancer directs her focus to Tswana dance, which is present in the daily lives of people from the African country Botswana. This dance is often used in healing rituals and as a form of storytelling.

In the show, the compassionate and expressive minimalism of the Tswana dance meets the rhythmic complexity of “The Rite of Spring”, a work by Pina Bausch (1940-2009). Through dramatic echoes and laughter, dancers and musicians explore the concepts of ritual, collectivity, and sacrifice. More than investigating the creation of something new from the different dances, the artist proposes, for the first time, an encounter with her roots and her ancestors.

Reflecting the Motswana heritage [an adjective that refers to members of the Tswana people, an ethnic group in southern Africa], the performance questions the choice – which must be made collectively – of who or what will be sacrificed. It also addresses inhumanity and its individualistic and discriminatory pitfalls by exploring unity, loneliness, and power relations between leaders and followers.

PRODUCTION CREDITS

Inspired by Pina Bausch’s “The Rite of Spring”;
Choreographer: Dada Masilo;
Composers: Ann Masina, Leroy Mapholo, Tlale Makhene e Nathi Shongwe;
Costumes: David Hutt;
Lighting and projection: Suzette le Sueur;
Sound: Tebogo Moloto;
Dancers: Dada Masilo, Sinazo Bokolo, Lehlohonolo Madise, Thandiwe Mqokeli, Eutychia Rakaki, Leorate Dibatana, Thuso Lobeko, Songezo Mcilizeli, Julio Jantjies e Tshepo Zasekhaya;
Musicians: Khayakazi Madlala, Leroy Mapholo, Mpho Mothiba e Nathi Shongwe;
Production in Brazil: Julia Gomes/Cenacult;
Interpret in Brazil: Suia Legaspe;
Technical director in Brazil: Luana Gouveia;
Commissioned in part by: The Prince Claus Fund Next Generation Award 2018 (Netherlands), The Joyce Theatre Foundation’s Stephen and Cathy Weinroth Fund for New Work (USA);
Support: Buhnen Koln/Tanz Koln (Germany); Ruhrfestspiele Recklinghausen GmbH (Germany); RomaEuropa (Italy), Maison de la Danse, Lyon (France), La Villette (France);
Representation: Quaternaire.