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Ten dancers timidly balancing on the tips of their pointes with their backs turned to the audience, on the tones of Camille Saint-Saëns’ Le Cygne, so opens HATCHED ENSEMBLE. While hiding their faces, they display small, handcrafted ironwork sculptures. The captivating choreography is developed by South African artist Mamela Nyamza, known for unapologetically demystifying, deconstructing the history of dance, while trampling on the norms and standards of the classics. Using sparse household materials, clothespins, a clothesline, plastic ponchos and red aprons, the dancers evoke images reminiscent of domestic labor, that evolve in an exceptionally precise and touching way. Referencing both classical Western music, dance and South-African vocal scores, they juxtapose movement vocabulary from their diverse cultures. The dancers convey deeply personal stories challenging race and gender norms, while their movements are peppered with moments of miniaturized ballet, performed with frantic, joyful release. With minor gestures and major sensitivity, a whole universe is opened up, one that dance history would never have suspected to exist, overflowing from urgency and subtle virtuosity. 

Credits
Hatched Ensemble
by Mamelas Artistic Movement

Concept/Choreography/Direction: Mamela Nyamza
Rehearsal Management: Kirsty Ndawo
Costume Design: Mamela Nyamza
Lighting Design: Buntu Tyali
Publicist: Khaya Ndlovu
Rehearsal Manager of dancers: Kirsty Ndawo

On stage
Opera Singer: Litho Nqai
African Traditional Multi-Instrumentalist: Given “Azah” Mphago
Dancer Artists: Kirsty Ndawo (Rehearsal Manager), Kearabetswe Mogotsi, Khaya Ndlovu (Publicist), Thamsanqa Tshabalala, Dineo Mapoma, Mbali Brandt, Noluyanda Mqulwana, Zandile Constable, Pavishen Paideya, Thimna Sitokisi

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Co-producers of HATCHED ENSEMBLE:  National Arts Council of South Africa (NAC) and Makhanda National Arts Festival of South Africa (NAF).