Lynn Belvedere

BLACK BRASS @ BELVOIR UPSTAIRS THEATRE

BLACK BRASS co-created and directed by Matt Edgerton. Written and performed by Kenyan-born Mararo Wangai, with composer-musician Mahamudo Selimane providing African songs with soulful passion and just stunning four chord riffs throughout. Loved the the delicious African Music, together on their African captivating journey that emotionally links Mararo Wangai to Mahamudo Selimane.

Mararo Wangai is a night-time cleaner, slowly working to vacuum the floors after cleaning up the mess of empty bottles/cans and pizza boxes, as left behind in a music recording studio. Guitar Music enlivens the many many theatrical songs, sung in English, Shangana, Swahili, Kikuyu, Xhosa etc. Mararo Wangai examines the painful shock of leaving home, and the many memories of home, and the discomfort arising from coping with being an African, who is now permanently living in Australia.

Engaging and entertaining storytelling, with clever use of the revolving set. Encompassing the vivid back-story of the African Cleaner, and also all about Africans now living in Australia, fully enjoying life by no longer fearing sudden death via murder/disappearing. Showcasing multiple African-Australian migrant stories, in words, lyrics and music. Multiple levels of meaning with ease in understanding, the complexities of living in Africa. Highly recommended.

STARRING:
Trumpet – Mahamudo Selimane
Sleeper – Mararo Wangai

BLACK BRASS at BELVOIR UPSTAIRS THEATRE
from the 6th until 23rd January 2022.

Co-production with Performing Lines WA, in association with the Sydney Festival.

Production Photos by Richmond Kobla Dido.

Duration 70 minutes (no interval).






 

https://belvoir.com.au/productions/black-brass/

 

Published by Lynn Belvedere

Once we were old enough, my parents took the whole family to the Sydney CBD cinemas every week. Thus began a lifetime interest, in going to the cinema every week, and became a passionate cinephile by watching all those very heavily edited ''Australian Film Censorship Board'' true cinéaste versions of brand new release ''Cinematograph Films''. Greater Union always gave my father (who worked in Cinema Distribution Exhibition) guest double movie passes, to every first-night ''red carpet Opening Night'' at The State Theatre Cinema at 49 Market Street. Up until his death, my dad always received ''two house seats'' for every Opening Night performance events at the Theatre Royal SYDNEY and at Her Majesty's Theatre SYDNEY. As a child, when mum choose not to go, I often went with him, to those live performance events. As a young child, I remember being taken for each new show, at both The New Theatre at 60 Sussex Street, and the Phillip Street Theatre when located at 150 Elizabeth Street, and for classical music concerts at Sydney Town Hall. = = = ★★★★★ = = = Being happy is a choice, and I have always viewed my life, as material ready be made into a series of amazing tentpole movies. My New Years Resolution is kept every year: ''Get to see/review five new live theatre shows each week, and get to see/review six new cinema movies each week'', plus is one of the Australian Cinema Pioneers, and apparently have seen far too much already, but always wanting to experience more and more each year. I am also able to do almost everything that I enjoy doing. Yes, I do have a great daytime job in I.T. as ''Software Design Project Manager'', PLUS each evening until quite late - - - Australian Cinematograph Films historical censorship consultant - product-placement consultant - mystery-shopper consultant - playwright, writer, author, director, producer, photographer, cinematographer, color-grader, subtitles proofreader - arts/ drama/ music/ film critic and judge, journalist, member FIPRESCI & FCCA & AFCA, member AACTA accredited film reviewer-critic-writer, accredited IMDB.COM critic-reviewer-author, projectionist, plus an innovative iconoclast - - - ★★★★★ LYNN BELVEDERE ★★★★★ - - - [usr 5] - - -