Titled Rebirth of the Ostrich, the theatrical piece, through the use of eclectic musical sounds successfully blends Botswana's wealth of musical heritage with contemporary musical influences. The show, put together, directed and produced by Moratiwa Molema of Mo-Mo Art, was well-attended in its maiden staging at Maitisong theatre on Thursday night. With its spell-binding dance moves and sounds, Rebirth of the Ostrich is a musical presentation of a rainbow of human emotions of love, jealousy, grief, healing, self-cleansing, death and rebirth.
Opening with, what turned out to be a constant soundtrack of Indian drums, the performance starts with two male dancers, played by award-winning setinkane (thumb-piano) player Mokgweetsi Kabomo and segaba player Mmoloki Matlho, playing their respective instruments. The two are later joined on stage by a trio of beautiful, perfectly synchronised girls, and giving a fresh performance of the much-loved story of boys and girls meeting at the riverside, the two boys vie for the girls' attention by singing to, and playing their instruments, for them. The girl, played by principal dancer Keotshephile Motseonageng, falls in love with the Ostrich character who serenades her with his opera singing.
