Padonbekend

Padonbekend (A Road Unknown)
Year - 2011
Direction - Alfred Hinkel
Performed at - O’okiep, KKNK Oudshoorn
Choreography - John Linden and cast.
Music Composition - Lionel Swanson and Gregory Winn
Text - Dawn Langdown and Ronald Sassman
Cast - Dawn Langdown, Christopher Samuels, Ronald Sassman, Vincent Chavula, Byron Klassen, Lionel Swanson and Gregory Winn
Photography - Mark Wessels
Produced by KKNK

Young Byron Klassen dressing late Dawn Langdown in custom made traditional attire.

Vincent Chavula, Byron Klassen, Christoper Samuels and Ronald Sasman huddling around late Dawn Langdown.

Late Dawn Langdown seated. Byron Klassen engaged in a lift held up Christopher Samuels. Greg Winn and Lionel Swanson in the background performing music.

Dansmettieduiwels

Dansmettieduiwels (Dancing with the devils)
Year - 2012
Direction - Alfred Hinkel
Performed at - Market Theatre JHB, Baxter Theatre CPT
Choreography - John Linden and cast
Music - Bach’s mass in B minor.
Costume Design - Marquen Carstens
AV - Marquen Carstens
Lighting design - Bennever Arendse
Cast - Grant Van Ster, Ilse Samuels, Christopher Samuels, Byron Klassen, Faroll Coetzee
Photography - John Hogg
Produced by Georgina Thompson of Dance Umbrella

Grant van Ster and Byron Klassen engaged in a lift where Byron's body is in a very elegant pose.

Christopher Samuels and Ilse Caroll engaged in a lift with AV in the background.

Christopher Samuels holding Faroll Coetzee.

Rust Coloured Skirt

Rust Coloured Skirt
Year - 2014
Direction - Heinrich Reisenhoffer
Performed at - Grahamstown NAF, Artscape Theatre Centre Cape Town
Choreography - John Linden and Cast
Music - Various
Text - Cast
Costume Design - Cast
AV - Heinrich Reisenhofer
Cast - Byron Klassen, Adelaide Majoor, Debbie Goodman, Alfred Hinkel
Photography - Ruth Smith
Produced by Grahamstown NAF

Adelaide Majoor and Debbie Goodman engaged in artistic movement.

Alfred Hinkel seated on a chair and Byron Klassen seated on the back of Alfred's neck.

Debbie Goodman holding Alfred Hinkel in a warm embrace.

Seep

Seep (Soap)
Year - 2015
Direction - Alfred Hinkel
Performed at - Kalahari Desert Festival, Northern Cape 5 town tour, Infecting the city Cape Town UCT Confluences
Choreography - Byron Klassen
Music - Various
Text - Byron Klassen and Magrieta Mouton
Costume design - Marquen Carstens
AV - Marquen Carstens
Cast - Byron Klassen, Magrieta Mouton and Savitri Naidoo (On Screen)
Photography - Ruth Smith
Produced by Kalahari Desert Festival and Infecting the City

Magrieta Mouton washing her grandson's, Byron Klassen, hair over a bucket.

Byron Klassen and his grandmother, Magrieta Mouton, dancing together in a close embrace holding hands.

Byron Klassen holding a semi plank position as part of his performance.

Keeper of the Kumm

Keeper of the Kumm
Year - 2016
Direction - Basil Appolis
Performed at - Grahamstown NAF, Artscape Theatre Centre
Choreography - Garage Dance Ensemble
Music - Hilton Schilder
Text - Sylvia Vollenhoven
Costume Design - Alfred Rietman
Cast - Elton Landrew, Quanita Adams, Dawn Langdown, Rebecca Makin-Taylor, Byron Klassen, Adelaide Majoor, Faroll Coetzee, Dustin Jannetjies
Photography - Ruth Smith
Produced by - Grahamstown NAF/Artscape

Adelaide Majoor hanging over the shoulder of Byron Klassen during performance.

Young Faroll Coetzee holding upside down Dustin Jannetjies up in a complex lift during their performance.

Adelaide Majoor and Byron Klassen during performance.

Mooi Genoeg Om Engels Te Praat

Mooi genoeg om Engels te praat (Good Looking Enough to Speak English)
Years - 2016, 2017 and 2018
Direction - Alfred Hinkel
Performed at - Northern Cape Tour (2016 - 2018), Magnet Theatre (2018)
Choreography - Cast
Music - Various
Text - Ronelda Kamfer
Costume design - Marquen Carstens and Cast
Cast (2016) - Richie Cloete, Esme Marthinus, Byron Klassen, Adelaide Majoor, Faroll Coetzee. Dustin Jannetjies, Jerome Jaftha
Cast (2017) - Richie Cloete, Esme Marthinus, Byron Klassen, Adelaide Majoor, Emelda Mothelesi, Faroll Coetzee, Dustin Jannetjies.
Cast (2018) - Esme Marthinus, Faroll Coetzee. Dustin Jannetjies, Emelda Mothelesi, Jaime-Lee Hine
Photography - Dale Davids, Ruth Smith, Faroll Coetzee
Funded by Mzansi Golden Economy

Byron Klassen laying down on Adelaide Majoor's lap in a scene during performance.

Performer standing around a table performing with empty beer bottles.

Faroll Coetzee doing a handstand with one hand one a table and Tseghohatso Mothelesi performing in the background.

The Pros and Cons of Hitchhiking

The Pros and Cons of Hitchhiking
Year - 2016
Performed at - Baxter Dance Festival @ The Baxter Theatre Cape Town
Choreography - John Linden
Music - The Pros and Cons of Hitchhiking by Roger Waters
Costume Design - Marquen Carstens
AV - Marquen Carstens, Heinrich Reisenhofer
Lighting Design - Bennever Arendse
Cast - Byron Klassen, Faroll Coetzee, Dustin Jannetjies, Adelaide Majoor, Leverne Botha and Ciara Baron
Photography - Ruth Smith
Commissioned by Nicolette Moses of The Baxter Theatre

Byron Klassen laying on the ground and Celeste Botha walking towards him from the side.

Adelaide Majoor engaging Faroll Coetzee in a lift over her right shoulder.

Byron Klassen standing over Celeste Botha staring up to him with her head between his legs.

Krummelpap, Afval en Sunlightseepbaddens

Krummelpap, Afval en Sunlightseepbaddens (Crummed Porridge, Tripe and Cheap Soap)
Years - 2020, 2021, 2022, 2023
Direction - Alfred Hinkel
Performed at - SU Toyota Woordfees, Northern Cape Tour, Vredendal, Compagnietheater Amsterdam, Zuidplein Rotterdam, Centerstage US Tour: Old South Meeting House, Boston. St. Mary’s Episcopal Church, New York. Moss Center Fiff Theatre, Blacksburg.
Choreography - Cast, Savitri Naidoo
Music - Various
Text - Ronelda Kamfer

English Translation - Ronelda Kamfer/Alfred Hinkel
Costume design - Cast
Cast (2020) - Esme Marthinus, Byron Klassen, Faroll Coetzee, Jaime-lee Hine, Lynette Du Plessis
Cast (2021) - Esme Marthinus, Dustin Jannetjies, Faroll Coetzee, Jaime-lee Hine, Lynette Du Plessis
Cast (2022) Esme Marthinus, Byron Klassen, Dustin Jannetjies, Jaime-lee Hine, Lynette Du Plessis

Cast (2023) – Esme Marthinus, Byron Klassen, Jaime-Lee Hine, Faroll Coetzee, Crystal Finck
Photography - Ruth Smith, Faroll Coetzee
Produced by Stellenbosch Woordfees

Faroll Coetzee and Jaime-Lee Hine performing on stage.

Faroll Coetzee holding late Esmé Marthinus over his lap while she delivers text.

Faroll Coetzee slides his hand down Lynette du Plessis' back while squating on a garbage bin.

Babalas

Babalas (Hangover)
Year - 2022, 2023
Direction - Byron Klassen and Dustin Jannetjies
Performed at - Kleinzee, Kalkbay (SU Arts Conference: The Violence of History and the Quest for Repair), Zeits MOCCA in Collaboration with Igshaan Adams, Okiep Sports grounds
Music Composition - Various
Text - Ilse Samuels and Ronelda Kamfer
Cast - Esmé Marthinus, Bertram Isak, Jaime-Lee Hine, Georgia Julies, Manon-Lee Saal
Photography - Faroll Coetzee
Commissioned by The National Lotteries Commission

Jaime-Lee Hine holding a pose with one leg up with her back slighty forward.

Bertram Isak aggressively holding onto co-performer Jaime-Lee Hine's wrist.

Diepspore

DiepSpore (Deep Tracks) An Outdoor Community Event

Year - 2023

Direction - Byron Klassen

Performed at - O'okiep Sports Ground

Choreography - Members of the Garage Company

Music - Sylvester Fortuin, Bokkie (Fredualischa Skylah Palm), O'okiep Male Voices

Text - Tina Schouw, Esme Marthinus, Alfred Hinkel

Cast - Students and Professionals of Garage Dance Ensemble, Sylvester Fortuin, Bokkie (Fredualischa Skylah Palm), A cast of 67 professionals and members of the community

Photography - Dale Davids

Produced by PESP, NAC, Dept Sport Arts and Culture

Faroll Coetzee on stilts skillfully performing with fire.

One performer standing atop a fiber glass ball and the rest of the performers standing around the ball to offer balance.

Performers staring towards the lighting.

Stof

Stof (Dust) A Homage to Dawn Langdown

Year - 2023, 2024

Direction - Alfred Hinkel

Performed at - Artscape Theatre Centre, Suidoosterfees, Okiep Recreational Club

Choreography - Cast under direction of John Linden

Music Composition - Sylvester Fortuin, Dollar Brand, Tina Schouw

Text - Dawn Langdown, Esmé Marthinus, Alfred Hinkel

Cast (2023) - Esmé Marthinus, Bertram Isak, Jaime-Lee Hine, Byron Klassen, Faroll Coetzee, Keeanu Samuels, Sylvester Fortuin

Cast (2024) Esmé Marthinus, Byron Klassen, Faroll Coetzee, Georgia Julies, Manon-Lee Saal, Keeanu Samuels, Sylvester Fortuin

Photography - Lindsey Appolis, Dale Davids

Produced by Suidoosterfees

Late Esmé Marthinus delivering text whilst leaning on Sylvester Fortuin better known as Oom Dollie.

Late Esmé Marthinus and Jaime-Lee dancing.

Byron Klassen and Faroll Coetzee performing their duo during STOF performance.

13.06.24_FDM_How-In-Salts-Desert_Robyn-Orlin_La-Criée_©Pierre-Gondard-43.jpg

...How in salts desert is it possible to blossom...

Year - 2024 and 2025

Design by - Robyn Orlin with Garage Dance Ensemble and uKhoiKhoi
With 5 dancers from the Garage Dance Ensemble company – Byron Klassen, Faroll Coetzee, Crystal Finck, Esmé Marthinus, Georgia Julies
Original music by uKhoiKhoi – Yogin Sullaphen, Anelisa Stuurman

Performed at - Théâtre de la Criée, Théâtre des 13 Vents, Théâtre Garonne, Roameuropa Festival, Amsterdam, Festival d' Automne à Chaillot, Théâtre national de la Danse, Le manège, scène nationale de Reims, PACT Zollverein
Costumes by - Birgit Neppl
Technical direction – Thabo Walter
Videos by Eric Perroys
Lighting design by Vito Walte

Producer - Damien Valette

Byron Klassen executing a jump during their performance of SALT abroad in Europe.

Late Esmé Marthinus sitting down dressed in costume, Byron Klassen in front dancing and uKhoiKhoi in the background providing music accompanied by AV.

Georgia Julies in costume performing in SALT production.

Georgia Julies in costume performing in SALT production. Faroll Coetzee performing in the background.

The cast of SALT taking a selfie pulling silly faces on stage.

Late Esmé Marthinus in hand with Byron Klassen dancing with Georgia Julies and Crystal Finck interlinked to Byron.

SALT cast dancing in front of musicians uKhoiKhoi and AV displayed behind them.

Georgia dancing in the centre surrounded by co-performers.

SALT perfomers standing in a line side by side with rope in front of them.

SALT performers sitting down with rope in hand.

Esmé Marthinus sitting down with Byron Klassen performing behind her.

Ons/Gister/Dans

.Year - 2024

Direction - Byron Klassen and Geralt Cloete

Performed at - Sanddrift

Choreography - Byron Klassen and Keano Samuels

Text - Geralt Cloete

Music Recorded - Various

Live Music - Traditional

Cast - Jayden Cloete, Janica Bezuidenhoudt, Annaline Joseph, Jody-Ann Cloete, Dianca Obies, Keeanu Samuels

Photography & Videography - Faroll Coetzee

Sound - Oscar Langdown

Produced by - Goethe Institut & Center Stage USA

Keeanu Samuels walking on stilts whilst children from Sanddrift community follows him down the street.

Nama Khoi Productions performer sitting down in traditional dress delivering text.

Janica Bezuidenhoudt standing in front of backdrop with a performers shadow displayed on it.

Performes sit in squat position behind cloth.

Janica Bezuidenhoudt holding up lit torch.

Nama Khoi Productions male performer lighting up flammable material attached wire with lit torch.

Wonde van die Siel (Dinto tsa Moya)

.Year - 2024

Produced by - Tseghohatso Mothelesi

Choreography/Direction - Byron Klassen

Performed at - Okiep Rec Club, Dance Pages

Cast (Okiep Rec Club) - Georgia Julies, Jaime-Lee Hine, Manon-Lee Saal, Druwayne Strauss, Keeanu Samuels

Cast (Dance Pages) - Georgia Julies, Manon-Lee Saal, Druwayne Strauss, Jered Adonis

Photography - Faroll Coetzee

Lighting - Oscar Langdown

Sound - Delroy Pekeur

Marketing & Ticket Sales - John Linden

Supporting Staff - Ettiene Hubert Cloete, Christopher Samuels, Sheldine Klassen, Gail Knopp

Georgia Julies standing at the centre holding onto cloths.

Manon-Lee and Druwayne Strauss performing on stage.

WONDE cast holding onto cloth while smoke fills the air.

GAT

Year – 2025

A Byron Klassen/Garage Production

with Esmé Marthinus and Miché van Wyk

Featuring the Garage Dance Ensemble

Cast (Okiep Sportsground) - Esmé Marthinus, Miché van Wyk, Keeanu Samuels, Jaime-Lee Hine, Georgia Julies, Manon-Lee Saal, Druwayne Strauss, Jered Adonis and Arnold Klassen

Cast (Toyota Stellenbosch Woordfees) - Esmé Marthinus, Miché van Wyk, Faroll Coetzee, Georgia Julies, Manon-Lee Saal, Druwayne Strauss, Jered Adonis and Arnold Klassen

Lighting Design – Oscar Langdown (OFJ Media)

Sound Engineer – Delroy Pekeur

Photography – Faroll Coetzee (OFJ Media), Ruth Smith

Videography - Peter Basford

Guest Appearances:

Community members of 4 Kamp, Die Kas, Gatjie-Wes en Die Blou Bul

Esmé Marthinus points at co-performer while delivering text during scene from the GAT production

Performer pours bucket of sand onto Keeanu Samuels' head.

Four members of GAT filling wheelbarrow with sand.

Esmé Marthinus holding bottle and co-performer Keeanu Samuels sitting while wheelbarrow rests against his back.

Performer Keeanu Samuels stairs up at water raining down on him.

Performers dancing while water rains down on them.

Esmé Marthinus pours sand from her hands onto Manon-Lee's hands while she rubs her hands together as if washing her hands in the sand.

Esmé Marthinus performing text while rest the performers stand on platform.

Performers singing song and some holding onto shovels.

Miché van Wyk delivering text as Keeanu stands over her.

Georgia stands with bucket in hand whilst delivering text.

Arnold Klassen performing with guitar in hand.

Esmé Marthinus carrying wood on her back.

Igshaan Adams

Garage’s collaboration with Igshaan Adams has proven to be creatively enriching from every angle. The process begins with his crew laying down an ink-covered plastic sheet, followed by a white canvas secured on top. Dancers then either improvise or perform known choreography on the canvas, leaving imprints that are later used to create the artwork. The first trial took place in the garden of John and Alfred’s residence at 50 Hibiscus Street, O’okiep, with the two subsequent sessions held at the Zeitz MOCAA in Cape Town.

Full Bio & Accolades

Jaime-Lee Hine performs on canvas surrounded by co-performers and Igshaan's staff.

Garage performers and Igshaan's staff holding up plastic sheet with paint on it.

Igshaan's first encounter with Garage at 50 Hibiscus, O'okiep. Photographed by Faroll Coetzee (OFJ Media).

Past performer Dustin Jannetjies standing in art studio surrounded my Igshaan's pieces.

Faroll Coetzee dancing on canvas with paint on his feet.

Second encounter at the Zeits MOCAA at the Waterfront, Cape Town. Photographed by Faroll Coetzee (OFJ Media).

Igshaan Adams, Faroll, Jaime-Lee, Manon-Lee, Georgia, Esmé, Dustin, Byron, Buddy, 2023, Mixed nylon and polyester braided rope, painted wooden beads, plastic, stone, crystal beads, sea shells, polycotton blend fabrics, memory wire, gold link chain and cotton twine, 183 x 219 cm. Courtesy of the artist; Thomas Dane Gallery; blank projects, Cape Town. Image by Richard Ivey.

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