musicals and operas review

Celebration Africa

Pro Art & Co

Watching 'Celebration Africa' feels a bit like being back in primary school - it features 'Kumbayah' and the poetry is read as if to a class of infants. The poems (by the likes of Langston Hughes and Tagore) have distinctly African themes and are interspersed with a bizarre selection of songs from Negro spirituals to Gershwin musical theatre numbers performed in an operatic style by Josephine Amankwah, and accompanied by piano, cello and African drumming. While this is undoubtedly an innovative and brave show, there's perhaps a reason these things haven't been mixed before. Classically trained Amankwah is an impressive vocal talent, but the style of singing and slightly awkward dancing lacks the passion of more traditional settings of these pieces.

C central, 17 - 25 Aug, 2.15pm (3.15pm), prices vary, fpp 169

tw rating: 2/5

published: Aug-2008

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