by Gerrit Bester
The Tshwane University of Technology’s Department of Performing Arts (Dance), in collaboration with the SA State Theatre and Matchbox Theatre, is excited to announce the upcoming performance of Weathered, a thought-provoking contemporary dance theatre production set to take the stage at the SA State Theatre, Arena Theatre, in February 2025.
This innovative production invites audiences to reflect on the intricate and often tumultuous relationship between humanity and the natural world, set against the urgent backdrop of climate change.
Weathered delves into the parallels between our personal relationships and our treatment of the planet, revealing how the fractures in our human connections mirror the larger ecological crises we face. Through evocative movement, immersive storytelling and striking visuals, the production examines the deep interconnection between humanity and nature, highlighting the fragility and complexity of both realms.
Choreographed to embody the emotional and ecological turmoil of our time, the dancers navigate through storms – both literal and metaphorical – reflecting the impact of neglect, exploitation and indifference on our relationships with each other and the earth. The performance captures the volatility of personal bonds shaped by desire, conflict, loss and longing, serving as a powerful metaphor for the environmental degradation we are witnessing.
“Just as human relationships can become weathered, drained, or frozen, so too does the planet suffer under the strain of human actions,” said Dr Nicola Haskins, lecturer, Department of Performing Arts (Dance), and Dr Bailey Snyman, the visionaries behind the production.
“Weathered seeks to expose the cyclical nature of our brokenness – how our personal and planetary relationships are intertwined, and how healing can only begin when we confront both simultaneously.”
The visual elements of Weathered enhance its central themes, featuring industrial fans that create gusts of wind mirroring the dancers' emotional turbulence, and buckets suspended from the ceiling to release “rain,” symbolising the consequences of our actions. Projections of ice cracking and trees struggling to grow in deserts serve as stark reminders of the environmental devastation we face and our role in it.
As the production unfolds, it poses critical questions: Can we weather the storms we’ve created? Will we continue to fracture our connections with each other and the planet, or will we choose to rebuild and reconnect? Weathered ultimately offers a message of resilience and hope, reminding us that both personal relationships and our bond with the earth require attention, respect and healing.
Join us for this compelling performance at the SA State Theatre, Arena Theatre, where Weathered will run from 18 – 22 February 2025. The preview will take place on 18 February at 19:00. Opening night is on 19 February at 19:00. The performance on 20 February will take place at 11:00, 21 February at 19:00, and on the last day, 22 February, a matinee performance at 15:00 and 19:00.
Tickets are available for purchase at Webtickets.
Don’t miss this opportunity to experience a production that challenges us to reflect on our place within the interconnected web of life and encourages us to take steps toward healing both our relationships and our planet.
Weathered is affiliated to the Tshwane University of Technology’s Research Niche Area: Artivism as a tool to combat Gender-Based Violence(s).
For more information, please send an email to
The Tshwane University of Technology’s Department of Performing Arts (Dance), in collaboration with the SA State Theatre and Matchbox Theatre, will perform Weathered, a thought-provoking contemporary dance theatre production, at the SA State Theatre in February 2025.
