AN OPTICAL ADVENTURE

 by Erina Rautenbach”

On the 31st of August 2016 the audience was taken on an adventure at the 18th JOMBA! Contemporary dance experience. KZN on the edge, which is new to Jomba!, made its debut and it left the audience in awe.  The highlight of the evening, for me, was definately the enchanting one man, one light directed and choreographed by David Gouldie with the incomparable Belinda Henwood in a witty tribute to  the Itallian cartoon La Linea.  The lighting design is by Michael Taylor-Broderick and it is nothing short of spectacular. Upon entering the auditorium of the Sneddon Theatre, we are greeted by a kind of ring master (Liam Magner AKA Veranda Panda), shining his torch into the auditorium as he meets, greets and jokes around with the audience.  Henwood accompanies his banter with an accordian playing parts of the Amélie soundtrack.  I feel as though I have entered a circus show - and am intrigued.   A star cloth with small blue lights hangs on stage, giving the illusion of a starry night.  On the stage a rectangle is taped off demarcating the performance area.  The atmosphere is carnivalesque.  As the lights fade, Henwood steps into the performance space and begins a mime-like performance, partnering with one light.  What follows is a fascinating duet between Henwood and a Robe BMFL lighting fixture.  Playful and precise the work takes me on a journey of magic and pure joy... at moments she holds the light in her hands, while at others projected feet circle around her... and still later she plays a game of noughts and crosses with the light (the light wins, of course!).  To quote the programme note:  “In the right light at the right time, everything is extraordinary” - Aaron Rose. one man, one light was nothing short of an optical adventure, so precisely timed and at only fifteen-minutes long, I was left wanting more.  With talent like this, Durban truly is at the cutting edge of creativity. 

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