Arcola theatre, London
On a quest to visit all 54 African nations, a band of travellers explore personal, political and social history – but it can be hard to work out what’s happening
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here is abundant charm, humour and a pointed sense of play fuelling Femi Elufowoju Jr’s musical drama re-centring the narratives around Africa. Its charisma is reminiscent of his previous rollicking production at this venue, The Secret Lives of Baba Segi’s Wives, which featured some of the same actors.
This is not as successful, despite its infectiousness. Ultz’s set design is loose, initially bearing a coffin at its centre. The premise is that 11 travellers must embark on a quest across all 54 nations in Africa within a week, spurred on by ancestral mother Mama Africa (Suzette Llewellyn). It is not altogether clear what will happen if they fail despite the symbolic coffin; the play does not dwell on raising the stakes. The job of the characters is to “demystify and justify” the continent.
