Kids in London - Afrika! Afrika!

KimT's London for Kids Blog

Having thoroughly enjoyed Cirque de Soleil and been impressed with the London-wide advertising campaign for this event, we coughed up the not insignificant ticket money (although we learned that some of this goes to African charities). But that money was well and truly well spent.

On arriving at O2 we had to walk the whole way round the arenas (through Entertainment Avenue and all its restaurants and past the unbelievably long queues for Tutankamen)until we reached "the tented palaces". This was a huge set of tents just outside the main O2 building. We walked through curtains into another world. We were greeted by friendly staff in African costumes, some of whom spoke French, and a wave of warm air. We walked past pretty programme stalls, merchandise stalls (excellent tees for kids including crocodile and elephant design) and cloak rooms and into the main entrance hall. Breathtaking!

There were three huge chandeliers which, on closer inspection, were made from recycled rubbish! There were lots of stalls - in real African styles - selling soft drinks, African wine and liquers, African food and also popcorn. The swirling curtains and festoons of material - in warm reds and pinks - really made this room a sight to see - soft lights and real atmosphere - and there were lots of high tables around the room so you could rest your drink and feast your eyes.

Linked to this main area were tent areas showing African art (a little bit disappointing) sponsored by South African Airlines. Then there was the excellent bazaar area with lots of glass display cases showing what appeared to be genuine African arts - made from banana leaves (my daughter got a lovely baby elephant for £2.50), recycled cans sculpted into cars, candles, beaded gheckos, masks and many other things that were lovely just to look at but were available to purchase.

Further rooms joining the bazaar was a VIP area and what looked like a fantastic huge cafe area where they promised to serve you within five minutes of the 30 minute intermission.

While we waited for the show to start we were treated to soothing sea sounds and calling gulls while we watched projected images all around the ceiling of the big top and also on the sides of the central structure in the middle of what was the circus ring.

And then the show burst into life. The energy in all the performers in every single number was electric. Afrika! Afrika! was an outstanding and marvellous show that really, really impressed my ten year old daughter. There was lots of different types of dancing - African, acrobatic, break dancing, gum boots and even tap dancing. She could hardly believe her eyes - the surprises and amazing feats just kept on coming.

And all the dance sets were interspersed with amazing circus acts such as aerial acrobatics, climbing and dancing on tall poles, human pyramids (watching the five person tall towers fall over was incredible), contortionists, jugglers (one juggler juggled up to eight balls, another two juggled tables and fire and another act saw brightly coloured large bowls being spun by a guy surrounded by brightly dressed dancing girls!) and there were giant creatures paraded around the ring some of which combined different animals. A star turn had to be two teams of guys on monocycles who staged a basketball match - and then even managed to do skipping whilst still on their monocycles.

And all the while there were the band and three large singers providing really cheerful and lively music - including The lion sleeps tonight and a Stevie Wonder number towards the end. There was much clapping along and laughing and cheering. The final number was really, really inspirational. We left the show with a real spring in our step and a lot happier than when we arrived. What a great show! I suspect we might have to go again!

:Omg: :thumbsup:

Posted Date
Feb 18, 2008 in KimT's London for Kids Blog by KimT