Madonna adoption saga hits Fringe

THE saga of the queen of pop's controversial African adoptions is heading to the Fringe.

A musical which portrays the American diva's long-running attempts to gain custody of the four-year-old Malawian Chifundo "Mercy" James will have its European premiere in Edinburgh next month.

In Mercy Madonna Of Malawi the megastar will be played by a black male actor sporting a black wig.

The play, which is already a hit in its home country, fuses traditional Malawian dance with western pop music as it weighs up the rights and wrongs of a contentious story.

Madonna first spotted Mercy in an orphanage when she visited the African state in 2006.

After a long-running court battle the nation's highest court ruled, earlier this year, that the star could adopt the youngster on a permanent basis.

While Madonna has come in for criticism in the western press for using her wealth and influence to "buy" children, many in the southern African country feel the youngster will have a better standard of life overseas.

Malawi's best-known political songwriter Ben Michael Mankhamba, who has penned a series of numbers for the show, said harsh realities made for difficult choices.

He said: "In Malawi we have too many kids suffering, so if we have someone who says she is capable of looking after them we don't have problems giving them away. It's better the kids have a better life than to be suffering here.

"My view is that now and then they will be bringing them back to their original country so they don't forget."

Director Toby Gough said:"One argument is that Madonna can take the child out because she's got the money to do it.

"The other is that she is a woman who cares for the children of Africa and is using her money to help out."

The show, which describes itself as "knockabout" and "irreverent", will leave it up to the audience to make up their own minds. Promotional leaflets depict members of the cast gathered round the actor playing Madonna wearing T-shirts saying "Adopt me".

Mercy Madonna Of Malawi will be performed at St George's West in Edinburgh between August 7 and 31