Until 26 Mar
The world premiere of Wild Dog - Tavaziva Dance’s 2010 Spring Tour

Wild Dog, a fierce new muscular work by Tavaziva Dance about the beauty and elegance of one of Africa’s most endangered species is the follow up to the company’s highly successful Heart of Darkness. It features seven high-octane dancers, and delves deep into the unknown and articulation of the beast. Tavaziva implores audiences to join the dramatic dancers as their bodies pulsate and vibrate against the mind-blowing soundtrack cut and arranged by award-winning Zimbabwean-born choreographer and composer Bawren Tavaziva. “My inspiration for this new work,” says Bawren, “came when I looked at aspects of my culture being eroded and becoming extinct. That led me to examine the fate of the wild dogs of Africa - the Imbwamupengo - whose very existence is threatened.”

There were once 500,000 African Wild Dogs - also know as the Painted Wolf and Cape Hunting Dog - and packs of 100 or more were not uncommon. Now there are fewer than 5,000. Because of land clearance, urbanisation, and other factors, Africa's once-great herds of grazing animals are now restricted to scattered populations in parks and reserves. As their prey goes, so do the dogs, many being (often illegally) snared, shot, and poisoned by farmers. However, The Painted Dog Conservation (PDC) effort, based in Hwange National Park, western Zimbabwe, is working with local communities to create new strategies for conserving the wild dog and its habitat.

Reviews of previous Tavaziva Dance productions

“Tavaziva’s choreography combines physical lushness with a determined ferocity” The Guardian

“A great company....their seamless blend of contemporary and traditional African Movement, strikingly costumed and lit” The Independent

“Mesmerising bringing grace and passion to the stage” Afridiziak Theatre News