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London Review
London ReviewAfrika! Afrika!
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Bodies fly through the air as if the law of gravity don't apply to them.— Der Tagessspiegel, Berlin
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The Pole Dancers from South Africa and Tanzania
(Photo: Judy Totton) |
An opening dance number is followed by music on the oud and the contortionist, the Spider Man bends his limbs in all sorts of seemingly impossible places. Dancers dressed as mine workers from South Africa give us an enthusiastic wellie dance using wellington boots to stomp out a rhythm. There is tap dancing on the back of a large car and these groups of dancers give way to some dressed as corn dollies who leap over each other. It is vibrant, thrilling stuff.
The human pyramids take over forming towers of men, three men tall. The agility of these gymnasts is breathtaking as they jump down. Sometimes the towers drop in a straight line and just before they hit the ground they bounce away with a flourish. The trapeze artist, the strappado act Jean-Claude Belmat from Martininque, performs his act with no trapeze just suspended from straps with his arms. I especially liked it when he flew out over the audience in a big circle. A juggler shows his prowess with six balls and then eight. The first act closes with men from France and Martinique showing how they can break dance to hip hop music.
The second act brings more traditional dances from Guinea and the Ivory Coast. Tanzania and South Africa gives us the pole dancers but not the kind in gentlemen's clubs but men suspended and twirling on high poles often holding on with just one arm — amazing! People juggle tables with their feet and we get fire juggling and a pot spinner who spins eight large pots simultaneously. Some African Americans put on a display of basketball on unicycles, fast moving and exciting with plenty of comedy thrown in but the solo star act is Nokulunga Buthelezi from South Africa, the snake woman, a contortioniste who would put most yoga practitioners to shame by her extreme moves.
This colourful, atmospheric show astonishes with the athleticism of the participants. The finale comprises the flag waving of the flags of the participating African countries, a celebration of that interesting continent.
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Afrika! Afrika!
Produced by AndréHeller Starring: Nokulunga Buthelezi, Jean-Claude Belmat, Makaya Dimbelolo, Dickson Oppong With too many to list from all over Africa, some from France and the USA Costume Design: Manu Abidong, Susanne Schmönger, Shirin Owzar Stage set co-ordinator: Georg Resetschnig Technical Director: Bernd Lukas Sound Design: Christian Ruppel Lighting: Gunther Jackle Music: Edo Zanki Running time: Two hours 20 minutes with one 30 minute interval Box Office: 020 7437 4370 Booking to 31st May 2008 Reviewed by Lizzie Loveridge based on 20th April 2008 performance at The O2 Tented Palaces, O2 London SE10 (Tube: North Greenwich) |
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