By Sandile Dudu Saki
A late start, miscoordination, failing lights, and frequent inaudibility all made for a disappointing viewing of the musical and spoken-word poetry production, Tackling Societal Issues Through Art.
The production is produced by a non-profit company based in Mdantsane, The World of Art Movement, and comprised of seven members working in drama, poetry, storytelling, music, photography and modelling.
Through these mediums, the artists attempt to explore the all-too-familiar themes of social injustice, gender-based violence, emotional traumas, and ancestral ties. Unfortunately, many of these important conversations are lost amidst the blunders on stage, and fall short of leaving a lasting impact.
The live music seems to lack synchronicity with little thought to arrangement and rather feels like attempts at improvisation. The lead vocalist and guitarist try hard to keep the dying embers of the fire stoked, with attempts at singalongs with a hesitant crowd. The lyrics, too, ramble on a number of lived experiences; break-ups, lovers-tiffs, the hardships of womanhood to social acceptance.
Still, all artists have their bad days. If the performers fine-tune their delivery and overall technique, Tackling Societal Issues Through Art could be a bubbly firecracker at the Festival.
Tackling Societal Issues Through Art is on at City Hall till 25 June.
