Circus Baobab (Guinea-Conakry)

Saudieu

Saturday, March 11, 2006     Sai Van Lake Square     Free admission

Artistic Director: Pierrot Bidon
Choreography: Ibrahima Coumbassa
Music: Wandel Soumah
Costumes: Daouda Camara
Technical Direction: Mory Diallo
Lighting: Kamel Bouchakour
Sound: Eric Moncho

In a form of “black magic”, these jugglers, dancers, acrobats and musicians from the Republic of Guinea employ modern circus arts to distil the purest essence of African tradition. In the arms of a 15-metre-tall baobab tree pulses the heart of this troupe, the first of its kind in Africa, whose performance is a ritual celebrating deep cultural roots.

Young or old, mechanic or cook, these performers come from all walks of life. Suspended from the giant tree, they call on supernatural energies to tell The Legend of the Drummer Monkey, achieving moments of ecstatic trance. Silhouetted against the sky like a Chinese shadow play, their ethereal outlines will leave a lasting impression on the mind.

Duration: approximately 1 hour and 15 minutes, no interval