Premium Content:

Review | Madiba – The Musical celebrates the birth of a Rainbow Nation

Madiba – The Musical | Crown Theatre | til Jan 12 | ★ ★ ★ ★ 

- Advertisement -

When I think of musicals my mind conjures images of witches defying gravity, East German genderqueer punks or lion cubs who just can’t wait to be king – so the real life story of political figure Nelson Mandela seemed like an odd choice for a piece of musical theatre.

Jean-Pierre Hadida’s Madiba – The Musical takes the incredible story of the South African revolutionary-cum-President and condenses it into a poignant and empowering celebration through song, dance, storytelling and colour.

The story begins in the 1950s, where a young Mandela served as a prominent Johannesburg lawyer listening to the cries of his people oppressed by European invaders. The audience is taken through landmark moments in Mandela’s life from his beginnings as a revolutionary, to his decades in prison, all the way to his eventual release and rise to Presidency in the 1990s.

Madiba’s story is complemented and framed by the stories of Sam Onotou (Tim ‘Timomatic’ Omaji), a dedicated follower of Mandela’s message, his partner Sandy Xulu (Tarisai Vushe), and her brother William Xulu (Barry Conrad) – an aspiring artist who draws only with dark charcoals and negative space. Sandy also serves as housekeeper to high-ranking European Peter van Leden (Blake Erikson) and his daughter Helena (Madeline Perrone), who live more-than-comfortably under the regime of Apartheid.

The tale is propelled through the decades by a narrator (David Denis). Though this is certainly a necessary device in a story the spans almost 50 years, the narrator punctuates each delivery with break dancing that was a little distracting while he explained essential milestones in Mandela’s journey.

Perci Moeketsi, equipped with a pitch-perfect imitation of Mandela’s singular voice, appears at key points during the story and delivers lines with the cool gravitas that Mandela was known for during his years of activism and leadership, while Ruva Ngwenya as Winnie Mandela is incredible both as Mandela’s staunch second wife, and brings the house down each time she breaks into song.

Each of the other characters bring a human aspect to the story, shining a spotlight on the individual issues faced by South Africans of colour during the Apartheid years. Sandy is torn between her desire to rise up with her people and keeping her brother safe from the authorities, Sam struggles to understand his idol’s pacifist approach to revolution, while Will and Helena fight their illegal love under racist laws.

In a musical full of rich storytelling and great moments in history, Will and Helena’s love story seems almost tacked on. A painfully obvious metaphor for unity amidst a very real story of struggle. I caught some audible boos from the crowd when Helena smeared a swatch of charcoal on her face, before launching into a romantic number with Will about the colour of their skin.

Besides that one cringe-worthy moment however, the music of Madiba is full of life. The opening number brought an exciting flurry of colour and dance, while Soweto was a thrilling war cry for the oppressed that had me excited to see what came next. Real highlights also include the introduction of Winnie, belting out the phrase ‘I am the wife of Nelson Mandela’, or Sam and Will trying to out-sing each other, much to the audience’s delight.

The politics and pain of Mandela’s long life may have seemed like a strange story to tell to music, but the song and dance of Madiba was a wonderful celebration of triumph over oppression. Madiba – The Musical is a brilliant ode to an incredible leader, an exemplary human being, and his dream of a rainbow nation.

Madiba – The Musical will be at Crown Theatre until Saturday 12th January. Tickets and more information available from crownperth.com.au

Leigh Andrew Hill

Latest

Julia Zemiro to host ABC’s new true-crime panel show ‘Crime Night!’

"Anyone who loves bingeing the latest true crime podcast, or playing detective in the group chat, this is the show for you."

Paola Pivi exhibition brings explosion of colour to AGWA

The Italian-born artist is known for playfully blurring the line between fantasy and reality, incorporating animals and everyday objects in surreal scenarios.

LGBTIQA+ Diversity and Inclusion workshop coming to Applecross Anglican Church

The event offers a relaxed opportunity to learn more about how to better promote LGBTIQA+ inclusion.

Unwrap Christmas in July at The Queens

Warm up your winter and get into the yuletide spirit extra early this year with Christmas in July at The Queens Hotel.

Newsletter

Don't miss

Julia Zemiro to host ABC’s new true-crime panel show ‘Crime Night!’

"Anyone who loves bingeing the latest true crime podcast, or playing detective in the group chat, this is the show for you."

Paola Pivi exhibition brings explosion of colour to AGWA

The Italian-born artist is known for playfully blurring the line between fantasy and reality, incorporating animals and everyday objects in surreal scenarios.

LGBTIQA+ Diversity and Inclusion workshop coming to Applecross Anglican Church

The event offers a relaxed opportunity to learn more about how to better promote LGBTIQA+ inclusion.

Unwrap Christmas in July at The Queens

Warm up your winter and get into the yuletide spirit extra early this year with Christmas in July at The Queens Hotel.

“Stop dithering” Peter Tatchell calls on UK government to tackle conversion therapy

Labour have failed to take action during their first year in government.

Julia Zemiro to host ABC’s new true-crime panel show ‘Crime Night!’

"Anyone who loves bingeing the latest true crime podcast, or playing detective in the group chat, this is the show for you."

Paola Pivi exhibition brings explosion of colour to AGWA

The Italian-born artist is known for playfully blurring the line between fantasy and reality, incorporating animals and everyday objects in surreal scenarios.

LGBTIQA+ Diversity and Inclusion workshop coming to Applecross Anglican Church

The event offers a relaxed opportunity to learn more about how to better promote LGBTIQA+ inclusion.