TAVAZIVA DANCE COMPANY

SIZE OF COMPANY
9 on the road

SCALE OF VENUE
Small- to middle-scale

PERMANENT STAFF
Artistic Director
Bawren Tavaziva

ARTISTIC POLICY
Tavaziva Dance explores new territories by combining the rich and diverse dance forms of Africa within a contemporary Western base. The company inspires and entertains audiences with its high-energy dance vocabulary, skilled technical dancers, original music and a totally unique perspective on African dance. The company’s work is at its core African; however it uses a modern dance language that draws much of its inspiration from the traditional.

REVIEW EXTRACTS
‘A great company… seamless blend of contemporary and traditional African movement, strikingly costumed and lit.’ The Independent

‘Intriguing and deeply sensuous… nothing short of explosive.’ The Stage

‘A tribal sense of combat, but also of ecstasy… intensely uplifting, enchanting and energetic, and typically demonstrative of the pure joy of dance.’ Dancing Times

CURRENT PRODUCTION
Chatsva A repertoire of four works to music ranging from Zimbabwean choral to Tuku ghetto sounds. Bawren Tavaziva’s new works present the dancers in contrasting moods, from light-hearted, exuberant contest (Makwikwi) and the determination of the persecuted to affirm identity and belief (Pachedu), to a powerful new solo (Mr Man) inspired by the poet Coleridge’s impassioned public outburst against the evils of slavery. Completing the programme, guest choreographer Thea Nerissa Barnes stages Last Word, her wittily engaging duet for two dancers. (6 on stage.)

WRAP-AROUND
Tavaziva Dance Company provides pre-and post-performance discussions, residencies and workshops for both amateurs and professionals. They are either generic in content or specific to the themes of the current touring works. Workshops are aimed at all ages.

RECENT INTERNATIONAL WORK
2007 Zimbabwe (Bophelo)

TOURING AVAILABILITY
From January 2008