Last weekend, I attended a performances of 1–2–3 As One: A Japanese-South African Butoh Experience which was presented December 5 and 6, 2025 at The Little Theatre in Cape Town.
𝑭𝒐𝒓 𝒂𝒍𝒍 𝒐𝒖𝒓 𝒎𝒐𝒕𝒉𝒆𝒓𝒔. 𝑲𝒆𝒆𝒑 𝒈𝒓𝒂𝒔𝒑𝒊𝒏𝒈 𝒕𝒉𝒆 𝒎𝒐𝒎𝒆𝒏𝒕. 𝑳𝒆𝒕’𝒔 𝒅𝒂𝒏𝒄𝒆 𝒕𝒐𝒈𝒆𝒕𝒉𝒆𝒓.
The above is a compilation from the programme, from the artist’s reflections.
Yes, let’s commune together and do that in the safe space of theatre – holding space – holding each other – and reflecting on life, love, death, mortality, dark spaces and letting the light through.
A lot to process from the performance – intensely articulated movement of Butoh, with the artists bringing in their own vocabulary and images, with their bodies as the primary medium of expression. Having said that, the performance was shrouded with beautiful lighting design by Valentino Davids, Tshiamo Maloka and a jittery soundscape – sound operator – Dumisane Skhosana.
Bravo to jackï job for presenting this fierce and passionate production.
She performed with Mitsuyo Uesugi and Yukio Suzuki – Butoh artists from Japan. They each performed a piece and then they “synthesized” (wording in programme – love that) in the last piece:
1-2-3 AS ONE.
1. Deilah – jackï job
For my mother. For all our mothers.
2. Vanish – Yukio Suzuki
Things that appear and vanish
To keep grasping the moment
To listen intently and stand there
3. Requiem for All – Mitsuyo Uesugi
The women living on my me
Let’s Dance together
I was gasping at the control and precision – each movement contained and tethered to the next.
Masterclasses were facilitated by the three artists as part of 1–2–3 As One: A Japanese-South African Butoh Experience. To read more, see interview with jackï job: https://thecaperobyn.co.za/interview-jacki-job-in-conversation-about-1-2-3-as-one-a-japanese-sa-butoh-experience/
