Christmas light dawns at cantata

The multi-discipline artistic story of Jesus Christ’s birth brings together dance, theatre, music, and poetry, among other arts. But what makes the whole show more than an experience is the fact that what Watoto delivers is not a simple cantata showcase but a professional full blown production.

If there’s an artsy Christmas culture Uganda has sustained over the years, it must be the Watoto Church Christmas Cantata.

It should be noted that there are many Christmas Cantatas that take place in different parts of the world and Uganda as well, though, for Uganda, it is hard to remember one Christmas Cantata that has been consistent, classy and equally artistic as that of Watoto Church.

Watoto Church has for years held the Cantata, captivating both members and non members of their church.

The multi-discipline artistic story of Jesus Christ’s birth brings together dance, theatre, music, and poetry, among other arts. But what makes the whole show more than an experience is the fact that what Watoto delivers is not a simple cantata showcase but a professional full blown production.

Not any production, a sleek production.

From the lighting, production design, costume and makeup, the team at Watoto takes their production with utmost respect; the detail on the outfits to mimic part of the mediaeval Jewish culture yet blending it carefully with local patterns brought a bit of the original and our authenticity to the mix.

Of course, with explosive worship services on a weekly basis, Watoto has mastered the art of putting together a world class theatre and musical production, they never disappoint on any front, but they always shine the most technically.

With fully fledged audio-visual departments, the production was meticulous on sound and lighting departments, they knew where and when to light, and so did the sound, it was hard missing the soundtrack which was improved by the singers.

But the overall win for the production was the LED wall screen which enhanced the lighting and made much of the physical production props even more believable.

For instance when they did scenes in the desert or Joseph’s home, the screen behind greatly enhanced the look and feel.

With minimalist sets, they achieved so much because they had a screen with impeccable graphics.

The show of course is proof why Watoto has continuously contributed to fields of cinematography, production design, sound and light design, but on the front, their influence on the art of dance was also visible.

Most of the dancers in the opening routine for instance are prominent faces on Uganda’s dance scene, Joel Amanyire was for example the lead actor and choreographer of the musical She Loves Me which premiered at the National Theatre in July, Josh Jasper, one of the choreographers on The Phantom of the Opera and The Levite: John the Baptist’s Story, a dance worship theatre show that also premiered at the National Theatre.

The dance on display merged classical styles such as contemporary moves such as ballet, done by children and hip hop moves especially those that incorporate street dances such as popping, locking, and krumping among others.

The acting was another part that elevated the production, the writers took creative liberty with the script, throwing street jargon and linguas to easily connect to the audience today, thus it was easy hearing a character throw a line such as, "we ;listen but we don’t judge," these definitely always got the audience involved.

Singer K!Mera reprised the role of King Herod and it is clear the more he has done it the more he understands it, he leaves it most of the time but again, he never forgets to throw a Ludacris line like, "What do I pay you for?" to employees he has never paid.

Or one of those employees adlibbing; "You guys get paid?"

But the highlight of whatever performance Watoto puts together is the tight showcase by the choir, not only are they smart, their harmonies, vocals and the solo performances of the singers are always outstanding.

The shows which are going on until Monday are one way of ushering believers into the Christmas spirit. This year, the theme, A Light Has dawned, is meant to remind believers of the hope in Jesus.

A Christmas cantata or Nativity cantata is a cantata, music for voice or voices in several movements, for Christmas. The importance of the feast inspired many composers to write cantatas for the occasion, some designed to be performed in church services, others for concert or secular celebration.