Dancing to the power of hope

A scene in the dance showing women frightened by jumping-savage soldiers. Courtesy Photo.

What you need to know:

Ray of light. Showing at the National Theatre on every second Wednesday of the month, the dance Power of Hope casts light on what the ordinary man goes through during war

Uganda National Contemporary Ballet (UNCB) staged one of the most creative and emotive dance pieces that tell a story of war at the National Theatre last week. Performed to script and music by American doctor Scott Shepherd, the choreography of Power of Hope did justice guiding the audience through emotional outrage, physical battle and terror that befalls a warring state before finding hope again.

The opening
Starting off with an eerie-motioning structure in the dark, dancers trotted on the stage wearing white gloves and masks. Death and darkness hovered over the stage amid banging of the African drum, and a contortion of fear pounced while they wriggled under what seemed like a netted entanglement.

An “awakening before the fear begins, a sense of life and kinship” was depicted by a man playing joyously with a child; beautiful-undefiled nature showed on the screen in the background. Ballerinas then strode with movements showing something in the distance; a sort of warning that introduced a trio of women, frightened by jumping-savage soldiers. The war had sprung, the women and children were victims of the tribulation.

“We are inspired by life, advocate for life, charity, women issues, against violence and child soldiers. We express our messages through dance.” Valerie Miquel, the choreographer of the piece, says, adding: “It is my aim to create a fusion between Africa and Europe (white and black) to show that we can work together, learn from each other without thinking one is superior”.

An army clad in camouflage pants marked the stage with logs and thumping steps, to a fusion of Anglo-American marching band with African drums. The soldiers postured high jumping motion, karate and kick boxing chorea that made believable fighting scenes. A romantic infusion describing women’s desire for one man bred jealousy among other suitors who then murder him.

Power of Hope tackled war across the world, its aftermath, thirst in the dessert worsened by the turmoil and insecurity, hate and pain among mankind. UNCB did a good job depicting agony and despair, yet rose sharply to the high moments of joy and celebration. The ballerinas had excellent body angling, lifts, turns and skips.

Muscles off the bare chested male ballerinas chiseled with every motion and the females pinched you to tears with their wailing.
God’s Grace Children Centre, Kyebando and instrumentalist Robert James Kigongo, who plucked the thumb piano and blew the pipe, performed along with the set of eight ballerinas.

The background
Role of the army. In music writer Dr Scott Shepherd’s poetic description, “the armies protect people and the people are grateful. But they also attack people and people are fearful.”

Inspiration. Having worked with people in Darfur, who were antagonised by war, terror and treachery, Dr Shepherd was grateful that his script and music (sent over the internet), could be interpreted into dance by Uganda National Contemporary Ballet. He said people in Darfur suffered but refused to be beaten - thus inspiration for Power of Hope.