Theatre Preview: Mother Africa, Playhouse

HACKED off with the snow and rain? Need some rays? Then head to the Playhouse on Thursday and enjoy the sunshine of Mother Africa, the Circus of the Senses.

More than one million people have been enthralled by Mother Africa on its tours of Europe, Australia, Africa, the Middle East and New Zealand over the last six years, as were audiences here in the Capital when the show made its UK debut at last year’s Fringe.

Described by New Zealand’s Dominion Post as ‘The Lion King on steroids,’ Mother Africa is a high- energy journey to the colourful continent.

A celebration of its glorious attitude to life, it is a veritable firework display of circus skills music and dance performed by artists from nine different countries.

All of the artists taking part have been trained at the Circus College established in Dar-es-Saalam, Tanzania, in 2005 by Mother Africa director Winston Ruddle. The skills the college offers are taught for free and the most talented students are given the chance to tour the world with Mother Africa, which, for most of them, is a life-changing opportunity.

Vivid costumes, foot-tapping rhythms, breathtaking acrobatics, energetic dancing and the sheer joy of life - that’s Mother Africa, so roll up, roll up... and prepare to be amazed.