BROKEN CHORD AT BAM

 BROKEN CHORD AT BAM

A memory of a difficult relationship between the colonised and coloniser, shaping their existence of resentment with each other in South Africa through dance and music and their history of the past and the present.

It's about a particular memory of a 19th -century Westward journey of an African choir.

This amazing dance piece begins in the darkness. After a few seconds the dim lights refelect a man (Gregory Vuyani Maqoma) twirling around and around with a long white chord. Brilliantly focused dim light has a stunning effect on the dancer and the chord which is moving in a fascinating snake like movements. In the mean time we hear faint sounds of a song which eventually becomes louder and we see four vocalists, Tshegofatso Khunwane, Luvo Rasement, Nokuthula Magubane and Avuya Ngcawent and the choir of Trinity Wall Street walk in and settle in the back row. 

The song by the vocalists is melodious and haunting at the same time.

Their story is of a group of young African singers travel to Britain, Canada and America by boat. Gregory Maqoma is so equipped with his dance movements that we really believe by the movements of his feet and precise steps that he is in a boat. This imaginary journey is just breathtaking. 

Finally their songs and dance swells with joy and anticipation of seeing London and then the excitementis replaced by racism and colonial attitude of power and control.

In one of the most effective though very painful scene,  all members of choir circle the African vocalists and dancers and shout at them telling them to, "Go home, why are you here? you are not like us." these words chill you to the bone. The choir is all white and the African group is all black and though the play/dance is taking place in 19th Century and here we are in 21st Century,  we are aware that we have heard these racists words recently and history seems like repeating itself. The white choir sings, "God save the queen." African performer also participate and asks, " You think I am only here to be a good black, just to sing for you, but in truth I am here to disrupt and dismantle." 

This beautifully rendered piece is about the clash of cultures which are unfortunately still going on.

The scene I loved the most is when the whole group do a dance and song out of kneading flour and there appears stunning shafts of light as if their hands are burning in fire. and we hear these words, "I want to go home." The brilliant lighting design is by Ralf Nonn.

This dance and song represents the global tensions in a mesmerizing manner, a very difficult task made throughly moveing and enjoyable by the whole cast, the choir and Maqoma who has such sense of command and balance over every step he takes on the stage and Thuthuka Sibisi, the great Composer.

So very thankful to BAM for bringing such facinating cultural events here in NY and just a train ride away, we are exposed to amazing countries and their glorious cultures.

REVIEWED By

Bina Sharif

ATCA

Editor/Publisher: artsinternational.blogspot.com

email:binashariff@gmail.com

Cell: 212-260-6207