This four-piece from the streets of Soweto in Johannesburg have taken the Fringe by storm in previous years and nothing seems to have diluted their energy and passion. Indeed, their voices seem to consist of a pure distillation of the light, heat and vibrancy of the South African landscape itself, somehow harnessed and sung a cappella. With no instruments, dazzling effects or costumes, Soweto Entsha hold the audience spell-bound with the force of their raw talent alone, although their enthusiasm and the playful interaction between the performers are equally important. There is a surplus of charisma here and for an hour and a quarter Soweto Entsha make you believe that some of it might just spill over and rub off on to you.
St John’s is a great setting for the performance: the forbidding surroundings of the nineteenth century Episcopalian church collide with the soulful African songs in an ultimately uplifting clash of culture and identity. Two seemingly disparate customs and ways of life are brought together and complement each other completely. The enriching effect this has is truly inspiring.
There are a few loose notes towards the start of the performance, but the group soon rise to the occasion and such minor complaints are quickly and happily forgotten. With percussion provided by some nifty footwork and the clapping of complex rhythms, most of the songs are South African odes to the glory of God performed so beautifully that even the most fervent atheist needn’t be frightened away. There are also some more recognisable classics thrown in for good measure, such as a stirring and timely rendition of Paul Simon’s ‘Graceland’.
