Is Money the Answer to Everything? What Happens to the Individual in a Bullish and Volatile

Is money the answer to everything? What happens to the individual in a bullish and volatile global economy?

I Hit the Ground Running, a first-time collaboration between ScenkonstSörmland (Sweden) and the Baxter Theatre Centre, is a cutting-edge dance and music performance piece at the Baxter Flipside for one week only from 29 August to 7 September at 7.30pm nightly, with a matinee on 7 September at 2pm.

The global economy and its effect on the individual come under the spotlight in this contemporary dance piece which has been developed over a year by the Baxter and ScenkostSormland. Following its world premiere at the Baxter, I Hit the Ground Runningwill embark on a national tour of Sweden.

The best of Swedish and South African talent come together in this unique creative collaboration. Five dancers under the direction of South African choreographer Ananda Fuchs and five musicians playing music by Swedish composer TebogoMonnakgotla will bring the power, terror and the complexity of economic growth to the stage in a ground-breaking, unique artistic explosion that promises to hit the ground running.

Through a process of research and development the artistic process began with a continuous dialogue between Fuchs and Monnakgotla as well as two reference groups from Cape Town and Eskilstuna, made up of unemployed young adults.

The five Cape Town dancers are Grant van Ster, Shaun Oelf, AndileVellem, Bernice Valentine and Leilah Kirsten and the five Swedish musicians are ÅsaKarlberg (flute), Johannes Thorell (saxophone), Camilla Arvidsson (violin), Hanna Dahlkvist (cello) and Jonny Axelsson (percussion). The musicians were carefully selected because they have extensive experience working with contemporary chamber music and also performing on stage in the dance, music theatre and theatre genres. Design for the production is by Marcel Meyer and lighting is by BeneverArendse.

“The echoing theme for me is the idea that the average citizen lives either on the periphery or the outside of the economic growth spiral,” explains choreographer Ananda Fuchs. “There seems to be a resounding sense of alienation from the mainstream or even the expectation in society of an upward spiral in order to attain success. With an ever-increasing financial pressure on human beings today, the emergence of a very fragile and often illusive sense of belonging seems to have been created. We hit the ground running until we cannot keep up any more – it is, quite simply, the human response to the economic monstrosity.”

Composer Tebogo had the following to say: “Through the music I wanted to musically capture the different impressions that came up during the workshops with the unemployed young adults from the two countries. It does not, nor is it intended to, present solutions to this complex challenge that we face. The sound images are merely a reflection of the emotions which came from these young people who shared their innermost feelings and thoughts on the subject of economic growth.”

ScenkonstSörmland is a regional Swedish organisation for the performing arts which 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. This joint venture with the Baxter Theatre Centre is a three-year project with a view to create and develop a new and different work each year.

I Hit the Ground Running opens at the Baxter Flipside on 29 August and runs until 7 September at 7.30pm nightly, with a matinee on 7 September at 2pm. Tickets cost R80 and booking is through Computicket on 0861 915 8000, online at or at any Shoprite Checkers outlet.

For discounted group block or school bookings, fundraisers or charities contact Sharon Ward on 021 680 3962 or email or Carmen Kearns on 021 680 3993 or email .

Ends

For further media enquiries or pic requests contact Ally Patterson on or 021 680 3974 or Fahiem Stellenboom on 021 680 3971, cell 072 2656 023 or email .

Production Information

I Hit the Ground Running

Presented by Baxter Theatre Centre and ScenkonstSörmland

Choreography byAnanda Fuchs

Music composed byTebogoMonnakgotla

Musicians:ÅsaKarlberg (flute), Johannes Thorell (saxophone), Camilla Arvidsson (violin), Hanna Dahlkvist (cello), Jonny Axelsson (percussion)

Dancers: Grant van Ster, Shaun Oelf, AndileVellem, Bernice Valentine, Leilah Kirsten

Sign Language Interpreter:MpotsengShuping

Design: Marcel Meyer

Lighting:BeneverArendse

Booking: Through Computicket on 0861 915 8000, online at or at any Shoprite Checkers store

Venue: Baxter Flipside

Date: 29 August to 7 September

Times: 19:30 nightly; 14:00 on 7 Sept and 11:00 on 5 Sept

Ticket price: R80

Duration: 45 minutes