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Newtown's Dada Masilo as Carmen wows Grahamtown audiences and critics alike

Dada Masilo of the Dance Factory in Newtown choreographed and performed Carmen to full houses at this year’s National Arts Festival in Grahamstown. Just read what the critics had to say:

`Simply superb!...The way Masilo moves is breathtaking…pliable, and sexy…There may never have been a bolder, more erotic Carmen…joins the list of brilliantly choreographed and danced performances accomplished by this bright star which is Masilo, and the packed house and ovation on its opening performance is…further testimony to the fact. If you have the slightest glimmer of interest in dance, you cannot miss this work of art. And if you are not interested in dance in the slightest, you must see this work, for it’ll change your mind.’ Steve, Artsblog, The National Arts Festival Blog, Thurs 2 July, 2009.

`…Dada Masilo takes a generally politely veiled tale of sexual violence and manipulation, and split its seams wide…The role she adopts in Carmen fleshes her into something irrevocably more terrible and sophisticated…This Carmen is more heartless than Lady Macbeth – she can kill, she can tease, she can break men with the flick of an eyelash, the thrust of her body or the flexing of her wrists. She’s tempestuous, bold and flamboyant, and she snatches the audience attention with characteristic urgency…you cannot pull your eyes off her.’ Robyn Sassen, Cue, Fri 3 July, 2009.

`Contemporary dance dynamo Dada Masilo’s Carmen has also seen a run on tickets. Masilo was the toast of the festival last year with her Romeo and Juliet, and her flamenco-laced interpretation…sees her `unravelling’ the sultry temptress to reveal her vulnerability and, by extension, that of women in a society beset by rape and violence.’ The Times, Sat 4 July, 2009.

`After experiencing Dada Masilo’s brilliant Romeo and Juliet last year, dance lovers have been eagerly awaiting her presentation for the 2009 National Arts Festival. Could she pull off another winner? She sure did…Carmen pulsates with passion, desire, jealousy, flirtatiousness and poignancy. Masilo is an extraordinary performer…’ Caroline Smart, Artsmart Mon 6 July, 2009.

`Already legends are being made in Grahamstown…Dada Masilo…simply blowing everyone away with her sassy, sexy and oh-so confidently African Carmen…says she dances because she loves it. That’s obvious when you experience her exuberance on stage…I found her extraordinary creativity mesmerising and magical…she adds layers and interpretations with the flick of the hip, a lift of the buttock and a swish of her flame-red gown…the production has an accessibility that’s inviting...I suspect that her work is as instinctual as it is researched. As hot-blooded as the Carmen she has created and portrays…she should soon set world stages alight. Diane de Beer, The Star, Tue 7 July, 2009.

`This was the role that Dada Masilo was born for, rewarded with both a full house and a standing ovation at the Dance Factory’s passionate final performance on the Main programme (on Sunday). Having left her mark as Lady Macbeth and Juliet at previous festivals, Masilo’s Carmen has been one of the hottest tickets for 2009. The shaven-headed star…returned in the title role of the Spanish bad-girl Carmen and made it her own…So petite and yet so potent, you cannot take your eyes off Masilo…Here’s hoping Masilo will be back for 2010!’ Gillian MsAinsh, The Herald Online, Sat 11 July, 2009.

`…Dada Masilo’s Flamenco-infused ambitious contemporary version of Carmen... reflects the brash, hot-blooded, bull-fighting milieu…marked by anger, antagonism and adrenaline… Tenderness and sorrow offset the predominant violence, passion and bawdry…There are lyrical, invigorating moments in Carmen, when the ensemble dancing reaches a bold, synchronised climax…’ Chris Thurman, The Weekender, Sat 11 July, 2009.

`Dance continued to be a major draw card for all ages. Dada Masilo’s de-romanticised Carmen enthralled the initiated and stunned the uninitiated with her choreographic sophistication and eclectic neo-classicism. Her interpretation of the lead role, Carmen is pure streetwise kasi meets Jozi.’ Adrienne Sichel, The Star, Tue 14 July, 2009.

`Dada Masilo followed last year’s triumphant Romeo and Juliet with a startling Carmen…’ Diane de Beer, The Star, Tue 14 July, 2009.

Photograph courtesy of John Hogg