West End Theatre Ticket News
“The energy and given off as all the dancers come together is unsurpassable”
- BBC
“By the time this fantastic show reached its riotous full-cast finale there was a party atmosphere both on stage and in the audience. So much bad news comes out of Africa that one tends to think of it as a dark continent full of cruelty, hunger and disease. This show, in contrast, paints an entirely different picture, creating a spell of humour, warmth and wonder that proves truly irresistible”
- The Daily Telegraph
"A hot- blooded African alternative to Cirque du Soleil"
- The Times
“AFRIKA! AFRIKA! is exuberant, fast-paced and delightfully fuss-free”
“ ****“
- The Independent
André Heller's sensual discovery of Africa fascinates the audience with its tempo, energy and the zest of life that is oozing out of the tent. The troupe travelled through Africa for two years between Mali and Morocco, and Egypt and South Africa, to all the coasts and the heart of the continent. They even searched the African diaspora for more than 100 artists, eccentrics, dancers, singers and musicians who had that special something.
This circus theatre offers sensous pleasure to children and adults, workers and intellectuals. Unbelievable acrobatics, intoxicating rhythms and costumes of exceptional beauty will entrance you for more than two hours.
The pole artists from the troupe Hakuna Matata, (Swahili for no worries here) will have you holding your breath as they elegantly swing back and forth on poles, nearly touching the top of the tent, while other dancers build a dizzingly high human pyramid.
Body eccentrics bend and curve into proud snake-like formations: Feet become hands and hands become feet in a rare spectacle known only to the African tradition of cult-like mastery of bodily movements.
The so-called water man, Dickson Oppong, makes bowls dance on top of a metre-high fountain which is spewing from his mouth.
Juggling ten balls at once is no problem for Abdurazak Reshid Adem. He takes his tarp and throws the balls in the air so fast that you would think they were remaining airborne the entire time.
Then an 11-member group of unicyclists appears and begins playing a surreal game of basketball on wheels, combining physical prowess and comedy. They are accompanied throughout the arena by a strong beat.
And much much more…
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