Tavaziva Dance Company

On Thursday 7th February, the Tavaziva Dance Company visited the College to perform as part of their British tour. This dance company, based in Swindon, is known for presenting dancers in contrasting moods - from the lighthearted and exuberant, to the angry or the calm.

Among these, is a powerful new solo (Mr. Man), inspired by the poet Coleridge's passionate public outburst against the evils of slavery. The dance encourages a reflection on the notion of true freedom. Pachedu, on the other hand, represented the idea of people banding together to become stronger in times of difficulty and persecution.

We were presented with a softly lit, bare stage, the different styles of each dance eliciting markedly different responses: some were moved to tears by the exposition on slavery, though most preferred the more celebratory first and final pieces. The show demonstrated how culture and dance can be combined to create something both abstract and thought-provoking.