Amazing Reviews
This ‘memorable’, ‘dynamic and vibrant’ show fills the stage with ‘charisma’ and ‘boundless energy’ as ‘natural-born performers’ dance to ‘an upbeat tune of elation’ (Entertainment-Now.com), (BroadwayWorld.com). An all-singing, all-dancing extravaganza celebrating South Africa’s 12 official languages, sprinkled with that incredible township vibe. Audiences commented that the talent was infinitely prevalent and the hour was most definitely well spent! A celebration of something much bigger than just a show that will give you a spring in your step when you leave.
The show, brought to the Edinburgh Fringe Festival by The Imibala Trust, received five 5-star reviews in 2023 and coverage from BBC worldwide, UK, and Al-Jazeera.
In 2024, the show returns, bigger and better. If you missed out last year, now is your chance! The cast will be showcasing their vibrant South African culture. The group includes five returning performers and five new dancers and singers. The audience will learn about their lives in the township and their hopes for the future.
Eight youthful and exuberant performers from South Africa have been brought from a place which inspires fear to Edinburgh to dance. They bring with them the cheek of youth and the knowledge of experience. All of them are under 25 years of age, their youngest is 17, and with such vitality they just dance. And I mean dance. They dance like their lives have depended upon it and thanks to the Imibala Trust, that might be true as they have been taken from real threat. They took themselves away from the troubles which were all around them and have come to know the joy of creativity and its opportunity.
OK, so interspersed with the dance and some of the explanations are the stories to tug on your heart strings but this the fully formed expressive moment which makes it all sing with expectation and joy. I counted, in just under an hour, about 30 different examples of dance. Some of them are snippets but all of them have a youthful enthusiasm – these are kids dancing like their lives depended upon it and hoping that everyone notices!
Watching this show is an extraordinary experience. Joy rolls off the tiny stage in great waves and every dopamine receptor in your system dances to the beat.
Yes-Ya-Yebo is an hour that goes straight to your heart.
Performed by a group of young South Africans, who have been part of the ongoing work of of the Imibala Trust, who work with children from the most impoverished townships there. One of their programmes is Creative and Performing Arts and this cast have come through that.
Siphosethu, Avuyile (known as AV), Salizwa, Simnikiwe (known as Goodwill), Timeka, Ahlume and Dondre sing and dance and drum their way through this hour and it is a body and soul thrill. There is minimal cohesion as such: the barest hint of narrative thread and a slight problem with audibility in the few links that there are mean that we are allowed simply to enjoy the energy, the rhythm and the happiness. We are introduced to the twelve languages of South Africa through everything from traditional dance to more modern.
The sheer positive energy emanating from these young men and women feels as if it could save the planet. The work of the Imibala Trust, it seems, has certainly saved them.
