And in it goes to lose its sense and find its soul
Madness, beauty, and the moments in between are put forward in a brilliant display of physical theatre.
Titled And in it goes to lose its sense and find its soul, the Sonia Radebe-conceptualised and directed performance features a powerful cast comprising Julia Zenzie Burnham, Zandi Hlatshwayo, Faith Tshabalala, Themba Dredz Mbuli, Phumlani Mndebele, Gregory Mabusela, and Simphiwe Bonongo.
Bonongo’s heady use of vocals (a great example of the reaches of beatboxing on the theatre stage) open up the show which is otherwise taking place in darkness and in stillness. Torch beams cut through the dark, swinging around the room and occasionally catching the limbs and faces of performers making their way around the stage.
There is a frenetic energy here – a yearning, a madness, a vital search for something outside of our daily navigations through life.
At times, the performance verges on the overwhelming, although not without wonder. Madness and beauty are the twin poles we oscillate between while watching these figures. Throughout it all, a refined synchronicity between vocal and physical performers gives us something to hold onto – a supreme serenity amidst the confusion and the chaos.
CONCEPTUALISED AND DIRECTED BY | Thandazile Sonia Radebe
ADDITIONAL COLLABORATION BY | Shanell Winlock-Pailman | Tony Miyambo
TEXT BY | Jefferson Tshabalala
COSTUMES BY | Shruthi Nair
PERFORMED BY | Julia Zenzie Burnham | Zandi Hlatshwayo | Faith Tshabalala | Themba Dredz Mbuli | Phumlani Mndebele | Gregory Mabusela | Simphiwe Bonongo
WRITER | Dave Mann
VIDEO ENGINEER & EDITOR | Noah Cohen
STILLS PHOTOGRAPHER | Nina Lieska