On Thursday, October 19, 2023, Lloydscompany will perform the show Unbreakable at the State Theatre in Pretoria, South Africa. The performance will be staged during a three-day state visit by His Majesty the King and Her Majesty Queen Maxima to South Africa (October 18-20, 2023) at the invitation of President Cyril Ramaphosa. As a token of appreciation for the hospitality offered, the King will host a cultural program for the group on October 19th: a performance of Unbreakable by Lloydscompany, the Soweto Skeleton Movers, and eight musicians from Hayp Music. Unbreakable is going on a Dutch tour from October 10th (premiere at the Oude Luxor, Rotterdam) to November 30th, 2023.

HOOG BEZOEK

Lloyd Marengo on the visit to Pretoria: "The five dancers from the Soweto Skeleton Movers are rowing with the oars they have, dealing with load shedding every day. With pantsula in the streets of Soweto, they're making the lights come back on at home. Who would have thought that we, as the Lloyds Company, would go to South Africa with them to perform our show there? It's wonderful, especially for the dancers, that they're playing a home game and with high-profile guests. And when I say high-profile guests, I really mean high-profile guests. That will also ensure that from that moment on, they will be viewed differently in South Africa. This is literally from the streets to the stage. Unbreakable brings us together; it brings Africa, Suriname, and the Netherlands together. I hope this gives them a better future, a financially secure future. And that their qualities are appreciated as art and no longer as 'street show pantsula'. That's what the performance in Pretoria means to me."

State Visit of the Royal Couple to South Africa

In addition to an official welcome ceremony by President Ramaphosa at the Union Buildings in Pretoria, the state visit program will include a visit to the Blesbokspruit Wetland Reserve, the Apartheid Museum, the Innovation Village, and Freedom Park. As a token of appreciation for the hospitality offered, the King is providing a cultural program. The performance "Unbreakable" will be presented at the State Theatre in Pretoria by Lloydscompany and Dutch musicians from Hayp Music, featuring South African dancers from the Soweto Skeleton Movers. In addition to the Royal Couple, South African President Cyril Ramaphosa will also be present. Also present during the state visit are Minister Dijkgraaf of Education, Culture and Science, Minister Adema of Agriculture, Nature and Food Quality, Minister Bruins Slot of Foreign Affairs, and Minister Ollongren of Defence.

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Cast: Topollo Ntulo, Jabulani Manyoni, Junior Hlongwane, Molefi Rakitla, Lerato Motsepe

Choreography: Soweto Skeleton Movers and Lloyd Marengo

Directed by: Jonzi D, Soweto Skeleton Movers

Production: Lloyds Company

Music: DJ Sce,ction Sce,ction, Fisto Fisto & HAYP MUSIC (Alvin Leiws & Patrick Mijnals)

Musicians:

Patrick Mijnals (piano / synthesiser)

Alvin Lewis (guitar)

Glenn Gaddum (bass)

Yoràn Vroom (drums)

Geerten Feller (viola)

Hieke Dam (violin)

Danna Paternotte (violin)

Dionne Nijsten (cello)

Lighting: Paul van Laak

Visuals: Bouba Dola