SOWETO SKELETON MOVERS & LLOYDSCOMPANY PRESENT: UNBREAKABLE
An explosive performance with Pantsula dance
Unbreakable is an exciting collaboration between Rotterdam choreographer Lloyd Marengo, London based theatre director Jonzi D and the five explosively energetic Soweto Skeleton Movers. The latter have long since outgrown their modest status as street performers and now showcase their talents all over the world.
Through a combination of playfulness, high-spirited African dance, humour and impressive visuals, Johannesburg’s Soweto Skeleton Movers tell their own life stories. Despite the setbacks and various temptations that crossed their paths over the years, these five dancers are ‘unbreakable’.
The dancers take the audience on a joyful and overwhelming journey that mixes songs, street scenes and their own ‘skeleton pantsula’ – a combination of traditional South African street dance and ‘bone breaking’. All this takes place against the background of a contemporary soundtrack of melodic afro-house tunes and pumping amapiano beats.
Quotes
“There is no doubting the talent, skill and commitment of the five superb dancers. They pour their hearts and souls into the piece. This alone would keep you watching, but add to that the exuberant foot work and the physically-defying acro-contortions, and you simply can’t take your eyes off them” (Seeing Dance, UK).
“The energy put into it by the dancers is infectious and above all palpable. What power!” (Theaterparadijs, The Netherlands) .
“It’s amazing how their stories without text are understandable to everyone and, above all, tangible” (Theatre and Musical News, The Netherlands).
“The audience of Unbreakable gets what they came for: lightning-fast footwork, amazing hat tricks, nice beats, acrobatics” (NRC, The Netherlands)
Tours
The English premiere of Unbreakable was on April 12, 2023 in The Place Theater London, the Dutch premiere on October 10, 2023 in Oude Luxor, Rotterdam. This was followed by a very successful tour of middle and large theater halls throughout the Netherlands. Due to the unique international collaboration and the innovative character of the performance (pantsula has rarely been seen in theaters and in Europe), special performances were added: Nelson Mandela Lecture, King’s Day concert in Ahoy, Dutch Dance Days, State visit of our King and Queen to South Africa, Black Achievement Awards and Trevor Noah in Carré.
Soweto Skeleton Movers
The dancers Topollo Ntulo, Jabulani Manyoni, Molefi Rakitla, Junior Hlongwane and Lerato Motsepe demand attention with their exceptional flexibility, snake-like motor skills, astonishingly acrobatic footwork and the humour with which they perform. Formerly, they were dependent on the generosity of the tourists who came to visit Nelson Mandela’s house in Soweto for their daily bread. One of these tourists was Jonzi D, the artistic director of Breakin’ Convention in London. He immediately brought the five to the UK. Since then, the group has toured the world.
Credits
Cast: Topollo Ntulo, Jabulani Manyoni, Junior Hlongwane, Molefi Rakitla, Lerato Motsepe
Choreography: Soweto Skeleton Movers, Lloyd Marengo
Direction: Jonzi D, Soweto Skeleton Movers
Production: Lloydscompany
Music: DJ Sce,ction Sce,ction, Fisto Fisto & HAYP MUSIC (Alvin Lewis & Patrick Mijnals)
Light design: Paul van Laak, Edwin van Steenbergen
Visuals: Bouba Dola
Technical info
minimal stage: 10 meters * 10 meters. The show needs a black dance floor. For the visuals we need a projector and a white backdrop. We travel with one technician, one tour manager and five dancers.
Bookings / more info
Pieterjan Jacobs
T: +31623672716
E: productie@lloydscompany.nl
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