"Does it make any difference when I go around the world telling stories of the Congo?" asks Faustin Linyekula as he sits upon a little stool. From the midst of a stage adorned with only floor lights, the dancer regales stories of his childhood, his community, his family — always with the backdrop of war and crisis.
Linyekula's voice is neither loud nor commanding — he's like a new friend chatting about his life — although slowly he positions and moves his arms until he's on his feet and really speaking to the heart through dance. Mixing fluid and spasmodic movements, Linyekula flirts with the lighting, making two, three and sometimes four other versions of himself bounce beautifully around the space. After various rounds of storytelling, dance and song, he presses play on his laptop to make the show thus far repeat; how delightful it is to hear the performer harmonise with his own recorded voice as he throws himself fully into recreating the ritualistic dances of his childhood. In response to Linyekula's initial question, the audience gives two long rounds of applause. Yes, it does make a difference; culture, ritual and life experience shared makes the world a better place.
