A PROYECTO 34°S presentation

Producer: Nikki Froneman

Director: Javier Drucaroff

Musical Director & live electronic music performer: Ernesto Romeo

Choreographer, Acrobat/Aerialist: Pablo Descoubes

Machitún.... an outdoor spectacle for the whole family with flying bouncing acrobats, ethereal dance, dream-like live electronic music, the beat of many drums and the soaring harmonies of feminine voices set against a dramatic backdrop of shadow and light, rain and fire.

With direction by Argentine Javier Drucaroff, creator of the shows Doble Banda and Ritual, choreography and performance by Cirque du Soleil selected acrobat Pablo Descoubes, musical direction and score by the renowned contemporary progressive electronic composer and performer Ernesto Romeo, and with talent drawn from amongst South African artists, Machitún will close the 2011 National Arts Festival in truly spectacular fashion and with more than a few surprises!

Machitún tells the story of the beautiful Ngenechén, who, happy in her world of warm light, laughter and growth, swings gloriously through the air, with kisses from the wind and the blessings of the ancestor-gods. The jealous Wekufe, from the cold stark darkness on the other side of the moon, wants her for himself and, when he captures her, forces her into alien ways and customs that she cannot understand and that nearly destroy her spirit. The ancestor-gods are not pleased and they call on the audience to help Ngenechén to call on her powerful inner strength and to also find the beauty and good in Wekufe if they are ever to live in peace.

Machitún has been created for the National Arts Festival by Proyecto 34°S, with a team of professionals artists from Argentina and South Africa working with the Oddbody Theatre Collaborative, Sakhuluntu Cultural Group, Art Factory and the Makana Arts Festival Forum.

The production is presented with support from the Argentine Ministry of Foreign Affairs, International Trade and Worship and the Argentine Embassy in South Africa. Special thanks to Ambassador Carlos Sersale di Cerisano.

Proyecto 34°S is an independent organisation that produces festivals and events with a focus on contemporary performing arts and active artistic exchange and contact between the diverse peoples and cultures of Africa and Latin America. For more information: www.proyecto34s.com