DANCE – PERFORMANCE – MUSIC
Despite the tragic passing of Dada Masilo at the end of 2024, her company continues to present HAMLET, honouring and extending her bold artistic legacy. In the final months of her life, Masilo trained two women from the company to cover her role, anticipating that she would perform the work only occasionally. For the 2026 chapter, long-time collaborator Llewellyn Mnguni takes on the role of Gertrude and serves as Associate Choreographer, working with the original and new cast.
Set in urban South Africa, Masilo’s HAMLET transforms Shakespeare’s famously wordy tragedy into a contemporary work of dance theatre, combining movement, acoustic music and text. Eleven dancers perform alongside two actors and three musicians, with an original score by Thuthuka Sibisi, created in collaboration with Masina, Mapholo and Mothiba.
Masilo focuses on themes of betrayal, deception and the gap between appearance and reality. As in much of her work, gender fluidity and androgyny play a central role, with women as well as men taking on Shakespeare’s traditionally gendered roles. The result is an elegant, visually striking and darkly humorous Hamlet that brings the chaos, intrigue and human relationships of Shakespeare’s court into a contemporary South African context.
Duration: 60 minutes, no interval
CREDITS
Choreographer: Dada Masilo
Composers: Leroy Mapholo, Ann Masina, Mpho Mothiba
Actors: Aphiwe Dike, Albert Khoza
Dancers: Dada Masilo, Sinazo Bokolo, Julia Burnham, Lehlohonolo Madise, Thandiwe Mqokeli, Eutychia Rakaki, Leorate Dibatana, Thuso Lobeko, Songezo Mcilizeli, Steven Mokone, Tshepo Zasekhaya
Musicians: Leroy Mapholo, Ann Masina / Khayakazi Madlala, Mpho Mothiba
Acting Coach: Dorothy Ann Gould
Photos: © Lauge Sorensen