Showing @ Assembly Rooms, Edinburgh until Thu 14 Aug @ 19:55
Each member of Township Voices’ ensemble has a slight bop in their step and an expression of blank seriousness as they enter onstage, creating a picture of intimidation rather than welcome. As soon as they begin singing and dancing however, their faces light up and their whole frames are charged with an infectious energy. At the beginning of the show it’s hard to help the twitching in your knees and, by the end, the entire hall are on their feet. Strong solos carry the choir through and help to personalise each performance.
The mix between traditional South African and Scottish music feels a little forced at first, with the James Gillespie’s High School Choir’s rendition of Robert Burns’ ‘Red, Red Rose’ creating a somewhat jarring contrast. What is moving however, is not so much the musical compatibility of these two choirs but the metaphorical harmony they bring to the stage. As both crowd onstage for the final songs, Lean On Me and Shosholoza, it is hard not to feel emotional. The show is also a charity event, with all the proceeds going to the Umlazi Township.