
Out of Joint
By Sanam Sitaram
Elizabeth Sneddon Theatre 23 August 2017 (Jomba! Contemporary Dance Experience
The collaborative “Out of Joint”, choreographed by Gregory Maqoma (Johannesburg, South Africa) and Letonia Helge (Bremen, Germany) begins against the backdrop of what appears to be a colossal spider’s web. A group of six performers begin the performance, with an entanglement of words. Standing in the wings, the dancers hurl them at one another across an empty stage. The human experience is brought into question as we are made to consider our reactions to the circumstances with which we are faced as members and instruments of a deeply flawed social system.
Do we bleed? Do we smile? Do we revenge?
The title of the work is cleverly based on a line from Shakespeare’s Hamlet, that “time is out of joint”, making reference to a broken system of power that is greatly in need of repair. Whether intentional or not, it is not difficult to notice the subversion of a great work in the canon of traditional Western literature by appropriating the quotation as the title of a contemporary dance work performed in South Africa by dancers of colour.
The choreography, at times, seems to specifically subvert assumptions about masculinity through movement, reminding us that this too, is gendered. A young woman delves into aspects of her East Asian heritage, and shares with us facts about her diverse ancestry. As a 27-year-old woman, she is beginning to feel the pressure from her mother to marry before 30 and to a man of her own ethnicity. A pressure faced by women across cultures. She dons a wedding gown and is seemingly pulled back and forth between two men as both of these concepts are presented visually. A compelling male duet conveys both conflict and tenderness, and once again, the use of speech is integrated into the dance offering a satirical critique of white supremacy, ending the episode with the Nazi salute. This yet again seems to be a symbol for the subversion of power, as the address is delivered by a man of East Asian descent. The work as a whole explores these dynamics while shedding light on these issues in a company that comprises solely of dancers of colour, challenging the idea that certain dynamics exist only between whiteness and whoever happens to be considered ‘other’.
Now in its 19th year, the “Jomba!” festival has long been a prominent feature of Durban’s artistic landscape. It is known for showcasing works that engage with the politics of race, gender and the human body itself. “Out of Joint” is certainly no different in this respect.
