TROUPE DE DANCE: MY HOPE MY ART

UK VISIT 2026

Come and meet the inspirational Troupe De Dance who are visiting the UK from South Africa. Their dance Pantsula is a highly energetic dance style that originated in the townships during the apartheid era as an expression of resistance and a proud display of cultural roots. Come along for an introduction to the dance and a chance to learn Pantsula from the best!

Here’s where you can see Troupe de Dance this September:

• Thu 17 Sept Norwich School & Norwich Market Show 4-5pm, free
• Fri 18 Sept Dance East, Ipswich: Workshop 2-4pm, Sharing 4-5pm, free
• Sat 19 Sept Old Hall, East Bergholt: Workshop 10-12noon, Sharing 12-1pm, £5 each
• Sat 19 Sept Old Hall Constable 250 Party (Regency Fancy dress optional) 8pm, free
• Sun 20 Sept Walton Arts Festival Between the Tides 10am and 11am, free
• Sun 20 Sept Global Village Sudbury Arts Centre: Workshop and Show, 2pm, free
• Mon 21 Sept Sadlers Wells East, Stratford, London: Workshops and Shows 10am – 12.30pm

To find out more and to book, contact Daisy Lees at Arts La’Olam at daisy@la-olam.com

TROUPE DE DANCE
“My Hope My Art”
Dance Performance

Directed by: Eddie Ndou
Choreographed by: Eddie Ndou

This high velocity dance piece is symbolising and narrating Hope, using unique movements and choreography with amazing foot work, fusing Pantsula with contemporary dance.

The piece showcases how Pantsula culture united communities during the apartheid era in South Africa, this dance brought diverse groups together, allowed the creation of a new Pantsula language, encouraged innovation and established a Pantsula way of life with exclusive attire to represent the culture. New ways of survival emerged through incredible dance movements within Black neighbourhoods. The dance opened doors for more creativity and influenced many contemporary dance movements.

“My Hope My Art” is a train carrying artists coming from different disadvantaged communities who are facing social, political and economic challenges. They embark on a journey to change their lives through creative dance and narrate to the world a captivating story that gives Hope. They decide to use their talent and dance skills to make living, express their unheard voices through movement and demonstrate youthfulness through rapid footwork. The dance showcases the Pantsula Movement of the 1950s (cultural resistance against apartheid) and infuses it with contemporary emerging genres to illustrate the renaissance of creativity and Hope in the South African Township. Its specific fashion could not be missed, the stylish pants, buckets hats and shoes, which easily allows the dances to convert the 1950s style movement to a variety of exciting and unforgettable contemporary dances, enhancing the performance with an historical narrative.

“My Hope My Art” takes Pantsula dance to greater heights by integrating and fusing other dance genres. These performances are very integral to youth culture and not only demonstrates the talent and discipline but brings food to the table through creative careers. The narrative piece explains the origins of the Pantsula dance form and how it has shaped and sustained both cultural identity and means of earning a living for young people. The dancers perform original songs performed by the legends and the performance is enhanced with African drums, guitars, vocal songs and new audio devices.

The dance piece gives Hope in art, displays the energy and demonstrates a high performance level, and includes a unique costume design to best narrate the narrative of Hope through creative dance.

The Troupe De Dance visit to the UK 2026 is generously supported by The Republic of South Africa Department of Sport, Arts & Culture Mzansi Golden Economy Fund, and Arts La’Olam in Suffolk. www.la-olam.com