Swan Lake
Feather-light and barefoot, in white tutus with bare, black chests – Dada Masilo’s swans glide across their lake, punctuating the calm with frequent bursts of frenetic action to make highly personal statements about their lives and tell stories about their relationships in South Africa’s explosive atmosphere. Masilo’s Swan Lake is a masterful mix of African dance, classical ballet and music hall accompanied by the famous ballet score by Peter Iljitsch Tschaikowski, African drumming and contemporary compositions.
Back home in South Africa, Masilo is renowned as the Queen of Dance, effortlessly bridging the considerable gap between European romanticism and the realities of contemporary Africa, bringing to life a joyful rendition of Swan Lake, which is grounded in a heartfelt understanding of humanity. Masilo also takes a clear stance on women’s rights against the backdrop of Africa’s ongoing struggle with AIDS.
Credits
