Not only ninety minutes of colourful, high quality and spectacular acrobatics and dance, but also comedy and Afro Jazz music. What’s not to like?summary
Rating
Unmissable!
If there is a sniff of a chance of you going to see Afrique en Cirque I recommend grabbing it with both hands. Starting in the dark with an exotic dawn chorus playing, the light slowly increases to reveal a village setting. A narrator explains that this is a Guinean fishing village and introduces us to a complicated looking traditional instrument which is used throughout the evening. He speaks about ancestors and the importance of keeping traditions going. The village continues to wake up with the arrival of the remainder of the cast and explodes into activity with some impressive drumming. Throughout the show there is music, percussion, singing, dance, acrobatics any aspect of which I would gladly have gone to see on its own, so having everything merged into one continuous event is a real treat.
The multi-talented troupe all seem to do a bit of everything. At one point even the bass player joins in at the base (appropriately) of a pyramid, instrument included. As well as dancing and drumming there is juggling, tumbling, balancing, a giant hoop, lots of throwing and catching of drums, hats – all that you would expect from an acrobatic show, interspersed with scenes of everyday life from the village.
There is the most bendy, twisty contortionist I have ever seen who gets himself in (and out) of a constant stream of the most incredible and impossible looking positions. Just as you think he could not possibly do anything more to amaze, he does, to gasps and exclamations all around. On top of the physicality the performance is all done with humour and a big smile throughout.
In addition to the traditional instruments there is a modern drum kit, electric guitar and saxophone, all of which combine to provide the continuous Afro Jazz fusion soundtrack during the evening. Loud and upbeat or slow and more subtle, it is always appropriate, enhancing what is happening on the rest of the stage.
The one thing I was not expecting was the humour in the show: it is really funny, from a Flintstones-style fishing boat to the contortionist’s headless chicken impression. Yes, really. The whole crew are so, so good at interacting with the audience, getting everyone involved, it is like being at a large family gathering, and the ‘Magic Mike’ touches towards the end are inspired.
Right from the start every performer looks like they are having such a great time it is infectious. OK, so Afrique en Cirque may not have the budget and glitter of other global circus acrobat shows (you know the one I mean) but it is all the better for it. Joyful, colourful and exhilarating, but with an added secret ingredient, it is impossible not to get caught up in the energy and enthusiasm. Go if you possibly can.
Artist Director and Founder: Yamoussa Bangoura
Soundtracks by: Olivier Beliveau
Produced by: Kalabanté Productions
Performers: Mohamed Ben Sylla, M’mahawa Soumah, Yamoussa Soumah, Alya Sylla, Abdoul Karim Bangoura, Mama Adama Soumah, Yamoussa Bangoura.
Musicians: Yoandy Bastida Sanchez, Paul Chennard, André Desilets, Yamoussa Bangoura, Abdelhak Benmedjebari, Axel Bonnaire, Kevin T Jones, Olivier Guertin.
Afrique en Cirque plays at Southbank Centre, Queen Elizabeth Hall until Sunday 28 July. Further information and booking can be found here.
Part of the You Belong Here Festival running until Sunday 8th September.
