Sullied interrogates the effects that patriarchal ideologies and misogyny has on the human psyche. Specifically, the way these ideologies affect how we as human beings interact with one another. This piece focuses closely on the idea of cleansing. It confronts the idea of washing away “dirt” but not tangible dirt rather washing away the dirt trapped away in our subconscious brought on by fear, emotional and psychological trauma as well as engrained social norms around women’s identity. Sullied means to damage the purity or integrity of…
This is the starting point of this production, it questions the structure of patriarchy and its systems used to try to justify its control and manipulation over women and their bodies.
'Sullied' is a societal reflection on how society refuses to accept women equality and self-worth.
Brighton Festival Review
KRISTI-LEIGH GRESSE is the award winning, Standard Bank Young Artist for Dance 2021. She obtained her Bachelor of Arts from The University of KwaZulu-Natal, majoring in Drama, Performance and Media Studies (2012-2014). Kristi is a seasoned dancer and choreographer and passion for dance has led her to perform both locally and internationally. As a choreographer she is continuously finding her voice and aesthetic, however her passion remains centred around the human experience and identity. She is working towards changing the landscape of dance, particularly within South Africa. Her work has scooped awards at The Jomba Fringe, National Arts Festival and Brighton International Fringe Festival.
Kristi-Leigh's most recent choreographic work includes Encryption (National Arts Festival 2019), Fellow (Jomba! Contemporary Dance Festival: OnEdge, 2020) and Sullied (Kucheza Dance Festival: Young Choreographers 2021). Kristi is currently working on a yet to be titled piece for the National Arts Festival 2022.
MATJAMELA MOTLOUNG is a theatre director, Producer and Trainer and has 25 years experience. His aptitude to work in a wide variety of theatrical spheres of theatre - from social development to commercial work - is exceptional. His most recent directorial work includes Touch My Blood, Silent Screams and Wathinat’Abafazi for the Playhouse Company in Durban and Encryption and Sullied for ArtSource031 at the National Arts Festival Makhanda, Brighton International Fringe and the Kucheza Festival at the State Theatre.
SANDILE MKHIZE is a Durban based dancer and choreographer and teacher. Sandile started his journey as a dancer at Siwela Sonke Dance Company under famed director Jay Pather,. He joined the Playhouse Company Dance Residence and later formed Phakama Dance Company which he is director and lead choreographer for. His work includes My Body and I, If the World was Listening, Trafficked, Uniting Youth Through Dance and Me and I, to name a few.
FEZEKA SHANDU is a driven young actor who’s committed to expanding her range. She was discovered through the K-cap mentoring program and went to train with the Playhouse CAMP program for young actors. Her work experience includes being a member of the Playhouse Company Actors Studio where she performed in numerous productions. Her performance credits include My Body and I, Wathint’Abafazi, Touch My Blood, Silent Screams and Sullied. Fezeka’s eye isn’t limited to theatre. She’s an award winning emerging film-maker and her first film “Blunder” won the most promising filmmaker awards at the DFC Film Festival for Emerging Filmmakers.
NOLWAZI NGCOBO, is a recent graduate actor based in Durban KwaZulu Natal. She who holds a BA Degree in Psychology and the Performance Arts from the University of Kwazulu Natal. She’s recently performed in an adaptation of “Sizwe Banzi is Dead” as part of the Playhouse Company Community Arts Mentorship Program. As an understudy for Sullied, she’s eager to learn and Sullied is her first professional theatre production.