Third Installment of 'Growth' Trilogy, ADAGIO FOR A HACKED LIFE, Comes to the Baxter Tonight

ADAGIO FOR A HACKED LIFE is the third and final instalment in the highly acclaimed "Growth" trilogy - a collaboration between the Baxter Theatre Centre and Sweden's Scenkonst Sörmland - and culminates with a short season at the Baxter Flipside. The series highlights the impact of the global economic monster on individuals. The project premiered in 2013 with I HIT THE GROUND RUNNING, which focused on unemployed youth, followed by STRUCK SILENT in 2014, which focused on senior citizens. With this latest offering, ADAGIO FOR A HACKED LIFE explores the stress that comes with today's technology and deadline-driven, information-overloaded and instant gratification culture, through research, dance and music.

Grant van Ster is the choreographer with composition by Jonny Axelsson and Nceba Gongxeka. The three dancers Shaun Oelf, Mishkaah Medell and Themba Mbuli are local, while tree of the musicians (Jonny Axelsson on percussion, Mattias Windemo on guitar and Anette Kumlin on oboe) are from Sweden, with one (Nceba Gongxeka on percussion) from Cape Town. Costume and set design is by Birrie le Roux and lighting design is by William Wenner. Van Ster, Axelsson and Oelf have been involved with the project since its inception in 2013.

The global economy and its effects on the individual once again come under the spotlight in this contemporary dance and music piece that tackles the strains and pressures imposed on people in today's modern society. The original music and dance were developed and created based on the responses and outcomes from research which inspired the work. The research for this final production came out of workshops held with two focus groups, one in Cape Town and another in Sweden. Healthcare practitioners, as well as people who have suffered or are suffering from stress, overwork, burnout and chronic fatigue syndrome, were invited to engage in discussions to form the basis for this latest work.

ADAGIO FOR A HACKED LIFE looks at how human beings have become victims and are being sacrificed at the altar of economic growth, delivering what the system wants, expects and relentlessly demands. But what is the cost? Does corporate capitalism risk of people's own holistic existence as human beings? Family, relationships, physical health, mental health and personal well-being are all compromised to fulfil and meet the external expectations presented in a contemporary society. Annette Taranto, the Swedish producer and process and research facilitator, explains:

Our research processes throughout the project have shown us that there is a fundamental clash between the rhythm of human life and the rhythm of the system of economic growth. With the project, "Growth", we have tried to mirror this clash, however, remaining positive we have always defended and cherished well-being and the triumph of human life over the monstrous system. With this final performance, we want to inspire and protect that rhythm from what threatens it. We hope that the performance will stay true to the experiences and wisdom shared with us by the generous persons who contributed to this and all the preceding processes.

Some of the finest of Swedish and South African talent come together in this unique creative collaboration. Scenkonst Sörmland is a regional Swedish organisation for the performing arts that covers music, theatre, dance and film. Annually, the organisation produces over 1 200 performances through collaborations with professional musical ensembles of all genres, independent theatres and dance groups, and municipal cultural authorities. When Scenkonst Sörmland director, Maria Weisby, and Baxter CEO and artistic director, Lara Foot, met in Johannesburg in 1996, they realised straightaway that they shared a common interest in and curiosity about how society works, how politics affects theatre and how theatre can transform society. For this project, the development of the production is housed at the Baxter, with a a three-week, five-city tour of Sweden following the run in Cape Town. Foot says:

We believe it is serendipitous that now, more than a decade later, we find ourselves involved with, and responsible for, this incredibly dynamic project and collaboration. It has been funded as an exchange that involves research groups. This means that it allows the art to come directly from civil society and, in turn, it is filtered through the artists.

ADAGIO FOR A HACKED LIFE previews tonight 17 February, opens on 18 February and runs until 27 February at 20:00 on Tuesdays to Saturdays, with matinees at 14:00 on 20 and 27 February and at 11:00 on 25 February. Tickets cost R100 throughout. There is an age restriction of 13 years. Booking is online through Computicket, by phone on 0861 915 8000, or in person at any Shoprite Checkers outlet. For corporate bookings, charities and school block bookings, contact Sharon Ward on 021 680 3962 or Carmen Kearns on 021 680 3993.

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