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| Winston Ruddle - Founder/Producer/ Director/Performer and Papa Africa |
Produced and
Directed by Winston Ruddle,
Canberra
Theatre 18th April 2023.
Reviewed by
BILL STEPHENS.
The
brainchild of Zimbabwean born German Citizen, Winston Ruddle, also known as
Papa Africa, “Cirque Mother Africa” is unique in that it is the showcase for
the graduates of the Dar Es Salaam Institution in Magomeni, a poor
neighbourhood of Tanzania’s business capital.
Known as
Hakuna Matata (‘no worries’ in Swahili) the circus school attracts young hopefuls
from all over Africa. However, only the most accomplished find their way into
one of Ruddle’s productions of “Cirque Mother Africa” which constantly tour the
world demonstrating the colour and richness of African culture through highly
sophisticated presentations highlighting the extraordinary circus skills of
their all-African casts.
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| Baraka Ferouz (Unicycle) - Martin Kibosha (drums) |
Many of the
acts are circus staples, but unicyclist, Baraka Ferouz, still managed to amaze with his
juggling skills while balancing on a ridiculously high unicycle, or compressing
his whole body onto an impossibly tiny two-wheeler.
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| Kahindi Iha and Franco Baya |
Kenyan
father and son act, Icarian, ( Kahindi Iha and Frano Baya) stunned with their dangerous-looking foot-juggling
act in which the younger was tossed into the air by his father while the
audience count aloud the number of consecutive revolutions the pair would achieve.
The ambition was 20, but 25 was achieved at this performance.
Pengo amazed
with his skills on the wobbly Rola Rolas. Another, Yusuphu Fuku, performed risky
balances atop of a towering stack of chairs surrounded by a troupe of muscular Maasai
warriors.
A feature of
all the solo acts was the stylish presentation lavished on each. Sometimes it was
colourfully costumed singers and dancers who performed energetic versions of
traditional African songs. For others, drummers
filled the auditorium with driving rhythms. Beautiful South African singer,
Pretty, not only lived up to her name, but complimented other performers with
unique vocalisations of traditional African melodies. The stage was never left
unoccupied in this fast-moving show.
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| The Ramadhani Brothers -Ibrahim and Fadhili |
Particularly
memorable in the current troupe are the Ramadhari Brothers, Ibrahim and
Fadhili, who many recognised from their 2022 appearances on the television
series “Australia’s Got Talent”. They take head balancing to whole new levels.
Handsome
young contortionist, Geofrey Mogela, drew audible gasps from the audience with his
remarkable, some might say disturbing, flexibility.
.jpg) |
| Contortionist: Geofrey Mogela |
Then there
was the moment when the audience felt it could hardly draw breath when the
tension mounted as another mesmerising performer named Benard Lungwa, added bone-like
components to an extraordinarily fragile structure he was constructing.
Following well-earned applause on completion of his task, Ben surprised
everyone by collapsing his handiwork when he removed just one tiny feather-like
component.
It wasn’t
all gasps of wonderment though. There were plenty of giggles too whenever Papa
Africa (Winston Ruddle himself) took the stage to captivate the audience with
his easy charm and banter.
This relaxed
charm was evident throughout the whole troupe, who had obviously learned their stagecraft
well from the master. There was a distinct sense of pride permeating the whole
ensemble in which members who were not involved in a particular act, cheerfully
acted as stage- hands, quickly and efficiently clearing props and set pieces,
and thereby enhancing the impressive skill and professionalism being displayed
by their colleagues.
“Cirque
Mother Africa” is currently undertaking an ambitious tour of regional
Australia. Watch out for it when it comes your way.
