SOLD-out at the Edinburgh International Festival 2021, Shona the Musical Choir is coming fresh from a Fringe Festival run to the Music Hall in Aberdeen.
Based in Edinburgh, the choir sings original songs from African composer and playwright, Neo Vilakazi, who lives and works in Scotland. Shona, as Scottish a name as you can find, is also a tribal name in Zimbabwe.
The Choir’s music and narrative is based on a fictional journey of a young African man sent to Edinburgh for education where he meets and marries a local lass. In this critically-acclaimed performance, the voices of Africa and Scotland blend together in the richest of harmonies akin to those of ‘The Lion King’, ‘Ladysmith Black Mambazo’ or Paul Simon’s ‘Graceland’.
Neo Vilakazi says: “This story and music is inspired by real events and the socio-political turmoil of Robert Mugabe’s rule of Zimbabwe as well as elements of my own experience of life in South Africa and Scotland. This is not a typical choir rendition as we have merged song and dance with new technology by integrating digital projection into our colourful performance.”
Aberdeen Performing Arts chief executive, Andy Eagle, said: ”Fresh off the back of a hugely successful run at the Edinburgh Fringe Festival, we are thrilled to be bringing this vibrant, uplifting and inspirational show to Aberdeen. For one night only, come along and celebrate with this uniquely brilliant choir in what is sure to be an uplifting and joyous event.”
Performed by talented artists, the vocals, dancing and acting have been described as “simply stunning” (The Scotsman).
“Vilakazi’s lyrics and composition is varied, joyous and breathtaking. Each piece of music has its own energy and is met with equal praise by the audience’s echoing applause.” (5* Musical Theatre Review)
Shona the Musical Choir is only on for one performance: Saturday 17th September, 7.30pm at Music Hall, Union Street, Aberdeen AB10 1QS.
Don’t miss this five-star show – chosen by theatrescotland.com as one of its top ten shows to see this summer – hurry and get your tickets NOW from https://www.aberdeenperformingarts.com/whats-on/shona-the-musical/ or tel: 01224 641 122 or in-person at the Box Office!
More details, including dates and locations of other performances this year, are at www.shonathemusical.com. Suitable for ages 12+.
ENDS
Notes for editors:
To book review tickets for this show please contact Rachel Campbell at rachel.campbell@aberdeenperformingarts.com
Photo credits – available on request if not supplied already
Main poster image ‘Queens of Africa’ – copyright Neo Productions
Other photos supplied – copyright/credit Jess Shurte
Marketing contact details:
Neo Vilakazi – email: neoproductions1@yahoo.com; tel: 0775 1789 464
Mhairi Gray – email: mhairi@shonathemusical.com
Creative team:
- Neo Vilakazi – lyricist, Sscript, composer and artistic director
- Ramcise Modie (DJ Ramsy) – co-composer/musical producer
- Morgan Njobo – co-composer
- Tilly Letsholo – choir leader
- Declan Randall – production design
- Siphosethu Gojo and Mthetheleli Dlakavu – joint choreographers
Neo Productions is an Edinburgh-based, multi-cultural theatre company limited by guarantee (SC266951). The company was established in 2004, to give people from the black and minority ethnic (BAME) population of Scotland opportunities to develop their on-stage and back-stage skills and to promote work by black and minority ethnic artists.
Creative Scotland is the public body that supports the arts, screen and creative industries across all parts of Scotland distributing funding provided by the Scottish Government and The National Lottery. Further information at creativescotland.com. Follow us on Twitter, Facebook and Instagram. Learn more about the value of art and creativity in Scotland and join in at www.ourcreativevoice.scot
Aberdeen Performing Arts is a charitable trust founded in 2004. Our vision is to create a vibrant, cultural hub at the heart of city life – inspiring, exploring and engaging through live performance and creative projects. Aberdeen Performing Arts manages three Aberdeen city-centre venues: His Majesty’s Theatre, The Music Hall and the Lemon Tree. We run three festivals a year, and a production company, with over 1,000,000 visits to our venues annually.
Aberdeen City Council and Creative Scotland are key funders of Aberdeen Performing Arts.
Shona the Musical Choir 2022 performance dates
Tour dates in Ayr, Inverness, Perth and Aberdeen are supported by Creative Scotland funding.
Edinburgh – Pleasance @ EICC/Edinburgh International Conference Centre – 10-14 August
Ayr – Gaiety Theatre – 25 August
https://thegaiety.co.uk/events/shona-the-musical-choir/
Inverness – Eden Court – 15 September
https://eden-court.co.uk/event/shona-the-musical-choir
Perth – Horsecross/Perth Concert Hall – 16 September
https://www.horsecross.co.uk/whats-on/shona-the-musical-choir-185202
Aberdeen – Music Hall – 17 September
https://www.aberdeenperformingarts.com/whats-on/shona-the-musical/
More dates and venues may be still added – visit www.shonathemusical.com for updates or contact us!
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TMSA contact details…
Contact: Neo Vilakazi
Phone: 07751789464
Email: neoproductions1@yahoo.com
Website: http://www.shonathemusical.com
