Making their first appearance in the UK, Afrique en Cirque is billed as “an indescribable display of acrobatics, artistry and Afro-jazz rhythms”.
It is here in London as part of the Southbank Centre’s You Belong Here celebration of summer, itself continuing to 8 Sep.
But this show’s stay is sadly brief, ending on 28 Jul. Should you be lucky enough to get a ticket, you will witness one of the most joyous ensembles I have seen in a circus.
Choreographed by Yamoussa Bangoura, whose effervescent personality shines through the whole ninety-minute show, Afrique en Cirque aims to “symbolise the strength, agility and joy of contemporary African youth culture” with “powerful storytelling at the heart.
As well as Bangoura himself, the cast comprises leading ladies Mama Adama Soumah and M’mahawa Soumah, acrobats Alya Sylla and Ismael Bangoura, and contortionist Mohamed Ben Sylla (whose stunning ability to manipulate his body drew admiring gasps).
Seuss Fu-Rubin (sax), Kevin T Jones (drums) and Abdhak Benmedjebari (guitar) are the powerhouse of accompanying musicians, with lighting by Stéphane Ménigot.
Kalabanté Productions, the company behind Afrique en Cirque, has both an artistic and humanitarian purpose, with cultural exchanges between Canada and Guinea.
A mother sitting beside me explained the show to her son in these terms, “people doing amazing things with their bodies”. And so it was, with strength, style, and sureness.
If you enjoy power drumming, lifts, tumbles, and seeing what the human body is capable of at its extremes, Afrique en Cirque is for you. It never lets up. Everyone left smiling and in high spirits.
I’m sure this will not be the last time you see the company on these shores.
Afrique en Cirque has its final shows on 28 Jul at the Southbank Centre’s Queen Elizabeth Hall. For details and tickets for events in the You Belong Here series go here.
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