The title for this eye-opening three-day season bore a double significance.
Not only did it courageously bring together directors, dancers and choreographers desperately trying to keep the art form of contemporary theatre dance alive, it factored in Declan Randall's superlative lighting, which raised the bar of professionalism and artistry of these performances, which were lamentably scheduled over the long weekend.
The fall-out in sustained training and lack of stability of dance companies (those still clinging to existence in Gauteng) was grimly evident in the revival of Robert North's Death and the Maiden. Most of the Tshwane Dance Theatre (TDT) dancers in this joint ensemble just don't have the technique to conquer this evocation of Schubert's ravishing music.
As Death, TDT's Songezo Mchilizeli started out with impressive attack, but ran out of steam. His dancing rallied considerably for the rest of the final (matinée) performance on Saturday.
Carlynn Williams's doomed maiden was just too clinical. Curious that, because in the next work, Landscape of Pain, she had all the emotional voltage she previously lacked.
Remnants of the past, I sighed, dreading the rest of the programme. Thankfully the revival of Landscape of Pain - created by Vuyani Dance Theatre's Daniel Mashita and TDT's Mchilizeli for the 2006 FNB Dance Umbrella - was a riveting antidote. Dance Factory guest artist Dada Masilo, whose electrifying versatility enhanced the entire triple bill, set the tone with an agonisingly beautiful opening solo for what has evolved into an emblematic South African work.
Far better focused and structured than the original Landscape of Pain is a rigorous psychological and physical portrait of a society with the jitters. Mandla Mcunu's staging captures the essence of the fractured energies and shredding psyches implicit in the choreography.
Redha Benteifour's On the Wings of Sue pulsed with the required predatory sexuality and a heavy undertow of spirituality which befits this requiem for humanity. Jozi Dance Company's Craig Arnolds (ex SA Ballet Theatre) and Yarisha Singh redefined what the pas de deux can be with a breathtaking synchronised physicality.
TDT is heading for the main festival in Grahamstown in July and Jozi is shortlisted for a Kanna prize for the 2007 Klein Karoo Nasionale Kunstefees. Long may they continue to fight the battle for local expression of international calibre.