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Bophelo
Photograph Hilary Shedel
tavaziva dance

Contemporary dance, contemporary African dance, music theatre

SIZE OF COMPANY
8 on the road

SCALE OF VENUE
Small- to middle-scale
Minimum stage area 7mx9m

PERMANENT STAFF
Artistic Director
Bawren Tavaziva

Company Manager
Maria Ryan

Development Manager
Deborah Baddoo

ARTISTIC POLICY
Tavaziva Dance explores new territories in combining the rich and diverse traditional dance forms of Africa within a contemporary Western base, inspiring and entertaining audiences with a high-energy dance vocabulary, skilled technical dancers, original music and a totally unique perspective on African dance.

REVIEW EXTRACTS
'What is out of the ordinary is that the choreographer aims for emotional directness, openness of spirit and human warmth – not qualities seen, or aspired to in today’s contemporary dance.' Dance Now, (Umdlalo Kasisi)

'The whole programme left you wanting more… Tavaziva command attention with a diverse portfolio of choreography, performed with artistry, commitment, intensity and a sense of humour. I'd love to see them again.' Londondance.com

'This is a well balanced programme devised and performed by extremely talented people. The choreographer and dancers show energy, fervour, and the ability to develop while staying artistically and creatively true.' Ballet.com (Soul Inspired)

CURRENT PRODUCTION
Bophelo (‘Life’ in Setswana) Tavaziva Dance provides its most exhilarating programme to date with two new works by Bawren Tavaziva featuring original music by Tavaziva himself, a new work by Neville Campbell (ex-artistic director of Phoenix Dance Company and Tumbuka Dance Company, Zimbabwe), and a re-staging of Worlds Apart from last season’s programme. Bophelo is about history, struggle, freedom, reflection, partnerships and power. (80 mins plus 20 min interval, 6 on stage, 8 on the road)

FUTURE PRODUCTIONS
A full length evening of work in collaboration with an African musician. The dancers also play drums live on stage, embracing the traditional spirit of the integral collaboration of music and dance within African life and culture.

WRAP-AROUND ACTIVITY
Professional level technique class based on Bawren Tavaziva’s fusion of contemporary dance and African dance styles as well as workshops involving technique class and development of movement material and creative ideas. One-day to one-week residencies, culminating in a performance piece if requested. Inset sessions for school and further education teachers, plus educational resource packs.

TOURING AVAILABILITY:
Bophelo from spring/summer 2007.
New work (titles tbc) New productions available autumn/winter 2007 & spring/summer 2008.