http://www.zambeziexpress.co.uk/
Review By: Jan Tatem
Any show which describes itself as an “African musical sensation” deserves to be approached with a degree of scepticism. In the case of “Zambezi Express”, the description is just about right.
The 30 or so young people who make up the cast belong to a theatre company called Siyaya, from Bulawayo, Zimbabwe. Formed 20 years ago, the company aimed to be “the best and most original theatre company in Zimbabwe, if not in Africa”. Over the years, they have appeared at festivals such as Glastonbury, Womad and Edinburgh Fringe. They were recommended to circus owner Gerry Cottle, who has spent the last two years working with Siyaya to put together this musical.
The storyline is slight – a young man from a township in Bulawayo dreams of being a top class footballer. His opportunity comes when he leaves on the Zambezi Express to audition for a team in South Africa. Will he make it? Well, what do you think? The story, however, is just an excuse to put together a breathtaking sequence of song and dance displays, complete with a dazzling array of costumes, both traditional and modern. Add to these a selection of circus skills learnt at the Wookey Hole Circus School, and you can see why these young entertainers have to maintain an incredible level of fitness, which was evident from our front row seats in Bournemouth.
Following their summer season, Siyaya move to Hammersmith for September, but return to Bristol for an autumn show in a big top on Durdham Downs – details yet to be announced. If an “explosive, joyous, riotous night of theatrical football” appeals to you, don’t miss “Zambezi Express”!
