THE LOWRY, SALFORD – 21st and 22nd MARCH 2023
REVIEWED BY MIA BOWEN
5*****
The South African born dancer and choreographer Dada Masilo has built herself an international reputation on reinterpreting the great ballets, including Swan Lake and Romeo and Juliet, telling these classic stories from a contemporary African perspective. Following the critically acclaimed tour of Giselle in 2019, Dance Consortium is back by popular demand, with the UK premiere of The Sacrifice and performed at The Lowry last night (the first of two nights), as part of an extensive UK tour. It is their largest tour to date with fourteen venues presenting the show, ending the tour in Newcastle after Easter.
Masilo’s The Sacrifice was inspired by the music from Igor Stravinsky’s epic Rite Of Spring score and Pina Bausch’s later adaptation. The story is about the return of Spring and the renewal of the earth through the sacrifice of a young woman, chosen by her community to dance herself to death. It follows the original structure and is divided into two parts, the first is when Ann Masina (vocals) walks across the stage announcing the return of spring by calling out ‘mielies’ and Masilo, along with her company of 10 superb dancers, celebrate spring and sets up a community. The second is where the ritual sacrifice takes place. Where Masilo’s reading differs from the original is that the sacrifice is shown as a cleansing ritual that brings peace and renewal to the community. This is emphasised by the dancers returning for the second part holding white calla lilies and wearing striking pure white flowing costumes, designed by David Hutt, complimenting their movements.
The dancers are all extraordinary, performing with synchronised rhythmical movements. Masilo herself dances the principle role within the show.
The staging is very simple because it is purely for dancing with freedom of movement without any distractions. Suzette le Sueur uses a projector to create images on a screen at the back of the stage.
Masilo choreographed the show to a new enthralling original score by four musicians; Leroy Mapholo on violin, Mpho Mothiba on a wide range of percussions (including a length of a corrugated tubing), Nathi Shongwe on piano and Ann Masina on vocals. Masina performance of the end song was so beautiful and heart-rending, I had tears running down my face.
Be prepared to be taken on a journey of emotions and witnessing choreography on another level!