REVIEW: The 2011 HIFA Opening Show
The HIFA Opening always draws a diverse and united audience to experience the magic of the official opening of the Festival. This year was no different. The packed to capacity crowd in the grounds of the Telecel Main Stage was treated to a dazzling display of art with a social conscious created by the visionary theatre impresario Brett Bailey. Brett Bailey has returned to the HIFA family after a year’s absence to create his fifth opening show. Titled Trea$ure, the opening show combined memorable music and dazzling dance to tell the all too common story of how the powerful seek to posses all the riches, leaving the poor to scrounge for crumbs.
read moreREVIEW: Theatre Irrwisch
Quirk, crazy, kooky and comic. These are the best words to describe the Austrian trio known as Theatre Irrwisch. The performers combine theatricality with physical performance, and an offbeat sense of humour to deliver a witty and intelligent performance. Although some of their humour may be lost on some, their inclusion of audience participation in their performances centres their comedic act, making it almost impossible to get bored and making absolutely sure that your attention is wholly drawn into the show.
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REVIEW: Jeanette Micklem
In a quiet room tinted with the soft glow of light falling on stained glass sits a lady on sitting by a piano. Amidst the hustle and bustle of the city, her fingers glide across the piano keys with an ease, grace, playing with so much passion, it is as though her heart is a jar of honey that has just been spilled, pouring the contents of her heart into the piano and filling the room with her life essence.
read moreREVIEW: Hip Hop is in me
Narrative stories told in the form of dance are de rigeur for contemporary dance, but when you add popping and locking as well as a little bit of crumping to the mix, what you’re ultimately left with is an extraordinary showcase of physicality and dancing ability. Hip-Hop Is In me certainly brought the house down with their emotionally charged, energy filled show that told the story of a man struggling to be understood and struggling to battle his demons.
read moreREVIEW: Bulawayo Kwela Bash
Well folks what can I say, as soon as the first note of the penny whistle is played the crowd becomes alive and it is infectious. This sets the tone of the afternoon as the audience anticipates what is to come. One of the penny whistler’s, despite his age, moves vibrantly to the music and this brings a smile to my face.
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