Born as a black person under apartheid, growing up in an extremely poor family with eight siblings, having a baby out of wedlock at age 16 -- this is surely a hard life to lead. But South African dancer and choreographer Todd Twala has lived it, and has proved that one can rise above hardship. The musical, "Umoja," which she co-created and choreographed, is a powerful demonstration of her -- and much of South Africa's -- struggle to overcome adversity.
"Umoja," which will come to Japan in October for the second time following its success here last year, is a musical that chronicles the history of black people in South Africa, as well as their vibrant music and dance.
During the two-hour production, the 37-member cast, including a narrator, singers, dancers and musicians dressed as everything from tribesmen to miners to partygoers at a jazz bar, appear onstage, re-enacting various chapters of South Africa's history. The spirit of the people from these times is also colorfully conveyed, from the pounding tribal drums to the sensual Venda snake dance by women celebrating their coming of age, to the cheery sound of village girls clanging on tin cans to make music.