The Cape Dance Company (CDC) under the artistic direction of Debbie Turner returns to Cape Town’s Artscape Theatre in November 2017 with Interplay.

After a successful season at the Grahamstown National Arts Festival, the critically-acclaimed neo-classical and contemporary dance company CDC is delighted to present Interplay, a season that will comprise two programmes of works that reflect the diversity of the company and its broad repertoire.

This annual exciting fixture on the Western Cape’s dance calendar most notably features a newly commissioned work funded by the National Arts Council and created by Mthuthuzeli November, the South African born and trained dancer and choreographer who is now based in London with Ballet Black. November was recently nominated as one of four dancers for Dance Europe Magazine’s Critics’ List for Most Outstanding Performance by a male dancer.

The company and management are inspired by the fact that the entire creative team are drawn from the organization, including faculty member Nathalie Vijver, Head of Drama as dramaturge and graduates Peter Johnson and Lee van der Merwe as original composer and assistant choreographer respectively. Both are products of the CDC and Cape Academy of Performing Arts (CAPA), its associated school.

The CDC is significantly committed to nurturing emerging talent in all aspects of the profession and focuses on skills transference from one generation to another.

Sun – the Rite of Passage, is dedicated to the memory and extraordinary life of Fiona Sutton, dedicated dance teacher and mentor, who started November on his dance path in Xolani Township. Sun – the Rite of Passage is Mthuthuzeli’s first major commission for the CDC and is a journey into adulthood and finding one’s path and unique place in the world while navigating the challenges of the 21st century in a modern yet traditional context.

Visceral, another piece by November, will also be presented this season. Additionally, a newly commissioned work by Kirsten Isenberg, entitled Hush, will be premiered, inspired by those who feel unheard and voiceless. Returning for a second Artscape season is Andrea Schermoly’s poignant and dramatically-lit Cliffnotes, as well as signature CDC works by Christopher L Huggins in the form of the tempestuous Blue, the beautifully haunting When Dawn Comes and the perennial classic, Bolero.

Featured artists in this season include Marlin Zoutman, Carmen Lotz, Olivia Parfitt, Kingsley Beukes, Gemma Trehearn, Danielle Wagner, Emily Isted, Odwa Lindokuhle Makanda, Lwando Dutyulwa, Kayla Schultze, Lewellyn Afrika, Farnel Smart, Mia Labuschagne, Gabrielle Fairhead and an excellent supporting cast and an excellent supporting cast. Lighting design throughout is crafted by the award-winning and highly sought-after Wilhelm Disbergen. Disbergen has a unique gift for lighting dance that is innovative, impactful and passionately driven by quality, precision and dedication.

The management, creative team and artists of the Cape Dance Company are single-minded in their vision for the future artistic development of the company; an unwavering determination to redefine a dance landscape that is reflective of a 21st century global sensibility; while, most importantly, maintaining and progressing the establishment of a definitively African artistic identity.

Interplay is supported by the National Arts Council, Food Lover’s Market, Business & Arts South Africa and the Western Cape Government.

The season runs at the Artscape Theatre on 4, 8, 9 and 10 November at 8pm, with two shows on Saturday 11 November at 2:30pm and 8pm. Tickets cost from R130 to R200 and booking for Programme A and Programme B is through Computicket or Artscape Dial-a-Seat on 021-4217695. Advance booking is recommended.

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