Kalakuta Republik

In the first half of this intoxicating dance piece, all is monochrome. Dancers pulsate, whirl, plunge and vibrate, their relentless movement exploding with virtuoso energy. Projections depicting scenes of conflict serve as a backdrop for the performers, their perpetual march an urgent metaphor for the desire to survive.

Bursts of colour take us into the second half, a place reminiscent of Kuti’s Shrine nightclub, where disputes were confronted just as hope blossomed from solidarity and social consciousness. While provocative messages emblaze the stage, decadent dance depicts the struggles of the individual, fighting for freedom.

This entrancing show by Burkina Faso-born Serge Aimé Coulibaly speaks of modern-day Africa and embodies the spirit of Nigeria’s Fela Kuti as a radical activist, musical legend and political rebel.