ZAMBEZI EXPRESS to 27 September 2009.

London.

ZAMBEZI EXPRESS
music and lyrics by Saimon Mbazo Phiri.

Riverside Studios, Crisp Road, Hammersmith London W6 9RL To 27 September 2009.
Tue–Sat 8pm Mat Sat and Sun 27 Sept 2pm & 5pm.
Runs 2hr 15 mins. One interval.

TICKETS: 0208 237 1111.
http://zambeziexpress.com
Review: Geoff Ambler 9 September.

Inspirational African song and dance lights up the Riverside.
Rarely a week goes by without Zimbabwe making the news for one reason or another, and it's hard to imagine that a show billed as “The happiest show on earth” could come from such a troubled nation.

Conceived through Gerry Cottles’ Wookey Hole circus school in Somerset, Zambezi Express brings to Hammersmith the story of a boy whose dream of playing football takes him to the city to try out for their team, as told by singing and dancing group SIYAYA.

The story, however, is more of an aside to the music and dance, and the thirty-strong cast from Bulawayo weave a kind of enchantment rarely seen outside Africa. Their magic emanates from the beat of their drums, the rhythm of stamping feet and clapping hands and such musical voices that sing incredible energy into every moment, all with a language that could be made to be sung. Indeed Chekamakumbo (Dance with no legs) almost makes an entire song in itself.

The opening few numbers are a revelation and the power created through the rhythms and vocals is truly enlivening. With choreography that mixes traditional with contemporary Thuba Gumede has crafted some remarkable dances and blends in humour at every opportunity. The men’s barrel hopping number 'Banena ‘bafana' is spectacularly acrobatic and matched only by the skipping during the prolonged encores.

The musical theatre claim may be a little spurious, with the story more an excuse than the evening's driver. However Zambezi Express certainly is one of the happiest dance and music shows around and adorned in a kaleidoscope of the brightest colours it illuminates the autumn gloom, bringing something quite unexpected, excitingly different and spiritually rhythmic to the City. An unmissable experience.

Mzilikazi: Makhula Moyo.
Maphosa: Ishmael Muvingi.
Gogo: Consolata Ngwenya.
Thando: Cleopatra Mugadza.
Skara: Pride Phiri.
Mbuso: Richard Masuku.
Zulu: Thuba Gumede.
Maqeda: Tonderai Phiri.
Sicelo: Benhilda Ngwenya.
Ensemble: Tawanda Moyo, Precious Phiri, Mkhululi Khanye, Sonia Mbaya, Sibonokuhle Sithole, Cheryl Mabaya, Blessed Chakomoka, Nozipho Tshuma, Siphiwe Dube, Kelvin Sibanda.

Drummers & Percussion Band: Tendai Mudimu, Brighton Chisale, Anthony Gwarimbo, Bekezela Siziba, Leon Sivako, Shepard Luwis.

Director/Choreographer: Wayne Fowkes.
Choreographer: Thuba Gumede.

2009-09-14 00:34:53