Defying Gravity Productions and the PE Opera House present Chains, choreographed by Heidi Sampson and Lauren McCarthy, at the intimate Barn Theatre from Wednesday to Saturday July 25 to 28.
The production is part of the Opera House’s Dance Seasons programme, with commissioned works produced largely by local-based experts staged every month for a week-long run.
Through this production Sampson and McCarthy navigate the inner conflict an individual faces when at war with themselves, conflicting inner turmoil and the constant fight for perfection.
“There is a perfect tension between the positives and negatives of each alternative you are fighting for. I try to break the chains but the chains only break me,” they said of the piece.
Sampson and McCarthy realised a childhood dream of owning and running their own dance company in 2010 when Defying Gravity Productions was established. Since then they have choreographed numerous high and primary school productions, including Honk! for Sunridge Primary; Urine Town for Woodrige Primary and Beauty and the Beast for Victoria Park High.
Defying Gravity also offers fun-filled classes for everyone who wants to move their body: The youngest dancer is three years old and the oldest is 81!Sampson and McCarthy started dancing at just four and have been best friends since high school, when they began to share a dream of starting and owning a dance school together.
Their love and passion for dance and teaching the art form also led them abroad. Having received national colours in performing arts, the two took part in the World Championships in Los Angeles, California in 2011. Both won a year scholarship to dance at the prestigious Millennium Dance Complex in Los Angeles. After their return, they took part in the Dance World Cup and, together with nine of Defying Gravity’s dancers, represented SA in Portugal at the International Dance Competition.
Show times are nightly at 7pm from Wednesday to Friday July 25 to 27, and 2pm and 7pm on July 28. Tickets are R100 (single) or R150 (double). Students and pupils pay R50 and pensioners R20.
A cash bar is available at the upper foyer and there is a sweet counter on the ground floor. Seating is limited, so it is best to arrive early.
Bookings: Cingiwe Skosana, cingiwe.skosana@gmail.com or Nomgcobo Mkize, nomgcobomkize@gmail.com.
Inquiries: 041-586-2256