Fallen Fulls is a production about different political parties fighting for POWER struggle in all regions and for the national domination. This piece illustrates the daily struggles of everyday South Africans who suffer at the hands of those in power and how the lack of service delivery and corruption affect all. Fallen Fulls follows the story of a of a veteran who fought for freedom but now was forgotten as he watches on the nation crumbling around him. Is this what he fought for? Will he turn his back on his fellow comrades and the leading party and join one of the opposition parties?
Dancer and Choregrapher Mandilakhe Gwashu who is from KwaZakhele in Port Elizabeth began dancing in 2002 as part of the community group Indaba Arts And Theater Productions. In 2005 Indaba merged with another local group and became Imbumba Dance Company and later staged the production ‘Me And My Four Wives’ at the Barn Theatre PE Opera House. In 2006 Mandilakhe joined Uphondo Lwe Afrika performed in the musical called AUNT ROSE at the 2007 in the National Arts Festival and at the PE Opera House Main Stage. In 2010 he was afforded the opportunity to be part of the Eastern Cape Dance Ensemble performing at the National Arts Festival, Hong Kong and Shanghai International Exposition.
Mandilakhe travelled with the production Qongqothwane to San’ya Island and Beijing in the BRICS INTERNATIONAL SUMMIT, performing with Uphondo Lwe Afrika which would later be performed at the National Arts Festival aswell as the PE Opera House Main Stage. Mandilakhe joined Umoja in 2011 and toured the Seychelles Island and to Mexico performing in cities such as Tapachula Chiapas, Leon, Oaxaca and St Louis Potosi. With the vast travelling this afforded Mandilakhe wonderful opportunities of attending Dance Masterclasses and workshops with acclaimed international dancers and choreographers.
He continued to travel throughout Europe and Africa for the better part of 2012 through to 2014. Upon his return Mandilakhe brought back to life his Dance Company Ikusasa and performed at the Mela Festival. The following year he produced and choreographed Slavery and was staged at the Iphulo Performing Arts Festival as well as Two Is Better Than One which was produced and Choreographed by Mandilakhe and Siya Mbambaza.
In June 2015 he was cast in the PE Opera House production part of the production called Inde Le Ndlela written by Mr. Monde Ngonyama, directed by Xabiso Zweni, choreographed by Nicky Raypen and Makhosi Dingiswayo. During the same year Mandilakhe was selected to be a dance facilitators for the choreographers from 8 districts of the Eastern Cape partaking in the Shukuma Provincial Dance Festival working alongside with Zamxolo Mgoduka. Mandilakhe was also selected to be part of the Street Theater production called Zwelibanzi marking the Grand Reopening of the PE Opera House
He has also appeared in television commercials namely for BKB as a sheep shearer and in another advertisement for Afgri. Mandilakhe was selected to be a dance facilitator durig the Nelson Mandela Bay Township Schools Dance Festival. I was appointed to be the judge at the College Competition that took place at the Opera House in May. In June 2016 Mandilakhe toured with Ubuhle be Afrika travelling to Romania, Switzerland and France and performed in the Festival de Martigues. Upon his return in August he was once again chosen to facilitate for the winning district choreographers around Eastern Cape working with fellow dancer and Choreographer Nomhle Qambata. During this time he was tasked by the PE Opera House to choreograph a Toyi Toyi dance piece which was first performed at the Nelson Mandela University and at the opening of the Shukuma Provincial Dance Festival. He was chosen to take part in the Job Creation Incubator in a program called Performing Arts Business Support were his production was selected to be one that will be commissioned and perform at Iphulo Festival and National Arts Festival 2017. The production is called FALLEN FULLS its produced and choreographed by Mandilakhe Gwashu, directed by Xabiso Zweni and music composed by local various artists.
Ikusasa Performing Arts is invited to take part in the FESTIDANZA Festival in Peru in the city of Arequipa, the festival starts on the 15 till the 20 of August 2017.
Fallen runs from 19 to 22 July 2017 at The Barn Theatre, PE Opera House. Admission: R50.00 (Students and Pensioners are R20.00).
Alan Straton
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