Review: MADIBA THE MUSICAL Shares Nelson Mandela's Story Through Song, Dance And An Impressive Collection Of Sketches

Saturday 10th November 2018, 7:30pm, State Theatre Sydney

The English adaptation of Jean-Pierre Hadida (Author, Composer & Book) and Alicia Sebrien's (Book) new musical MADIBA THE MUSICAL shares the story of Nelson Mandela's achievements and impact through a captivating blend of music, dance and drawing. Originally presented in Hadida and Sebrien's native French in Paris in 2016, this production is the first tour of the work in English, adapted by Dylan Hadida and Dennis Watkins.

This new musical expresses the life of the iconic freedom fighter and South Africa's first black head of state, Nelson Mandela (Perci Moeketsi), also known as Madiba, his Xhosa clan name. Given Mandela spent a total of 27 years in prison Hadida and Sebrien have chosen to not only tell his story but also show the influence of his fight for freedom on the black and white communities of South Africa through the inclusion of the fictional characters of fellow prisoner Sam (Tim 'Timomatic' Omaji), his wife Sandy (Tarisai Vushe), her brother William (Barry Conrad) and white South African policeman Peter (Blake Erickson) and his daughter Helena (Madeline Perrone). Utilizing a rap style reminiscent of Lin-Manuel Miranda's works and a sketchbook of charcoal drawings, projected on the rear sheer, Hadida and Sebrien have the young narrator, performed by Tarik Fimpong on the night reviewed, recount the pivotal events of Mandela's life and pass opinion of the apartheid world that Mandela was fighting to free his country from.

As well as the aforementioned rap, MADIBA THE MUSICAL draws on traditional African influences and more conventional musical theatre styles. The compositions utilize the strong voices of the cast to deliver a variety of big bold pieces and more tender works although some pieces lack the linguistic intrigue and come off as somewhat saccharine and simple when alongside the Narrator's raps. Ruva Ngwenya gives Winnie Mandela as strong voice in Goodbye Robben Island and Vushe's presentation of Sandy's Standoi Saami is bold and passionate. Moeketski showcases a beautiful falsetto for the arrangement of William Ernest Henley's Invictus.

Along with the music there is a strong element of dance with both traditional and contemporary styles represented. Fimpong's breakdancing and hip hop is fabulously athletic as he gives the young narrator a streetwise contemporary confidence and includes some impressive flips across the stage. The ensemble numbers are captivating and energetic, and the Gumboot Dance is amusing in its inventiveness as a modern interpretation of a traditional styling.

Whilst at times the performances feels a little overwhelmed by the size of the State Theatre stage, the deep apron unutilized as it feels the work has been arranged for a smaller stage, MADIBA THE MUSICAL is an interesting exploration of important political events reminding the audience that whilst Mandela achieved a lot for freedom and equality, more progress can still be made towards acceptance.

MADIBA THE MUSICAL

https://madibamusical.com.au/

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