INTERNATIONAL SENSATION:
AFRICA UMOJA
VICTORY THEATRE
July will see the opening of one of Joburg’s oldest theatres – The Victory Theatre in Houghton Estates. It will now be the permanent home to proudly South African and world-acclaimed theatre production, AFRICA UMOJA.
The Victory Theatre, now revamped on international standards, was initially built in 1929 as a cinema, and is set to become one of the biggest beacons of African arts & culture in Johannesburg.
The theatre now boasts a 470 seated theatre, the fully licensed Victory Jazz Bar and the Victory’s African Restaurant. It also features a 4 storey on site car park with full security.
After touring over 26 countries, AFRICA UMOJA is returning to SA shores to continue on their journey. AFRICA UMOJA: The Spirit of Togetherness – the tale of South Africa, its people and their song.
Travelling on the beats of drums, from the dusty streets of Soweto to all the corners of the world’s best and biggest stages, AFRICA UMOJA tells the moving tale of indigenous South African music - from the earliest rhythms to kwaito.
Marvel in the beautiful costumes & award winning, internationally acclaimed choreography. AFRICA UMOJA is a loud, colourful and jubilant celebration of life that audiences from all backgrounds have found infectiously delightful and uplifting.
Twenty-six countries have embraced the traditional love songs, lullabies and other musical expressions of rural life. They have also cried along in the city streets listening to music reflecting the pain of the migrant laborers and their families.
Relive the energy of Sophiatown, infused with passionate voices as they tell their story. The heart is saddened by cold stories of forced removals yet the feet continue to stomp along with the explosions of gumboot dancing.
There are also the reminiscent sounds of the vibrant jazz that forced its way free from the constraints of the times and a thread of gospel music running through the tale recalls the huge helpings of faith and courage. This saw black South Africans through some of the country’s stormiest historical passages. Experience the remarkable journey traveled to the current sounds of Kwaito!
Despite its occasional moments of reflection and pathos, AFRICA UMOJA is a loud, colourful, and jubilant celebration of life that audiences – whatever their cultural backgrounds – have found infectiously delightful and uplifting. The 40-piece cast made up from a myriad of South African cultures has its own touching story to tell…
AFRICA UMOJA - Believe the hype
WHAT THE REVIEWERS SAID:
"I had never seen anything like UMOJA; whose stunning performance could only be described as indescribable."
– Township Talk, South Africa.
"… well-choreographed dances, excellent footwork and… breathtakingly harmonious a capella numbers. The vocals, especially the solos, were to die for. This pulsating musical odyssey leaves you breathless, and your heart pounding for more."
- South China Morning Post
"… a thrumming diorama, woven together by the joys and aches of a nation."
- Toronto Star, Canada
"… the prolonged applause was entirely justified."
(Translated), Metro, The Netherlands
"They dance like demons, sing like angels, and drum like magicians possessed."
- The Daily Telegraph, England
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