Noyam Theatre hosts collaborative work

An international group of artists and academics last week presented a collaborative group work that portrayed issues relating to borders, checkpoints and language at the Noyam Theatre in Dodowa, near Accra.

Titled “Broken Word, Broken World”, it was an  impressive and visually stimulating dance drama  with dancers engaging in highly expressive and imaginative movements to unfold the dilemma of language barriers and their effects on various activities.

Employing elements of earth, water, fire and wind, the “language” of directors Gameli Tordzro  (Scotland/Ghana), Tawona Sithole (Scotland/Zimbabwe) and choreographer Nii Tete Yartey (Ghana) was compelling and limitless.

 “This production is more than entertainment.  It explores diverse issues some of which border on  values, beliefs and culture. It is an astounding artistic creation and I hope the collaboration continues into the future”, said Danny Clerk, a cultural journalist in Accra.

Accompanied by contemporary tunes from flutist Dela Botri (Ghana), saxophonist Katrine Suwalski (Denmark), flutist Simon Winse (France/Burkina Faso), percussionists Sam Tachie and Alfred Tamakloe (Ghana/Denmark) and Kalimba player Clare Robertson (Scotland), the group put up a  brave and sophisticated performance that gripped attracted audience.

Interspersed with Ghanaian traditional dances such as Takai, Adzogbo, Kpanlogo, Fume Fume as well as Ewe and Akan drum accompaniments, the versatility of the young dancers was vividly revealed as their agile bodies attempted to interpret and translate multilingualism and its related issues.

The production was funded by the UK Arts & Humanities Research Council (AHRC).