A scene from the stage production, ‘Cion: Requiem of Ravel’s Bolero’. Picture: SuppliedAfter touring locally and internationally for the last few years, Gregory Maqoma’s “Cion: Requiem of Ravel’s Bolero” returns to the Market Theatre, where it premiered in 2017, for a limited run.
“When I was thinking of the work, it was around the same time when we were experiencing a lot of killings, particularly of women and children within our society. The principal dancers are Otto Nhlapo as Toloki, Roseline as Moria and Monica Magoro as the mother of the runaway slaves.On the musical side, Simphiwe Bonongo is the beatboxer with Xolisile Bongwana, Sibusiso Shongwe andMaqoma couldn’t help but sing the praises of Nhlapo, who took over from him as the lead dancer while he helms the show as the director.He said: “Several years later, we are coming back and the lead is played by Otto, an amazing dancer and choreographer.
He said: “Dance has always been like the stepchild of the arts. I mean, ironically, it is the greatest exponent in the arts. I never understood the notion that it should be in the backdrop of everything else that the arts can offer.