"UMOJA"TO CLOSE 8 FEB 03

"UMOJA"TO CLOSE 8 FEB 03

The South African musical Umoja, which extended to 20 Dec 2003 less than 2 weeks ago, has now posted closing notices for Sat 8 Feb 2003.

This production opened at the Shaftesbury Theatre in November 01 and was forced to close in February 02 after The Shaftesbury Theatre was served a Noise Abatement Notice by Camden Borough Council. People living near the Shaftesbury Theatre said that the noise of the show's drumming was impossible to live with. The show then re-opened at the Queens Theatre in June, before transferring to the New London Theatre on 12th Sep 02.

Written by Todd Twala, Thembi Nyandeni and Ian von Memerty, it is a celebration of music and dance featuring 36 young black South African performers. The producers of the show are Todd Twala and Thembi Nyandeni, the force behind an earlier South African hit, Ipi Tombi.

Umoja was well received by the popular press when it opened last November at the Shaftesbury Theatre..... THE STAGE said, "A truly magnificent display of South African song and dance." THE TIMES said, "The dancing is well drilled, the singing strong and a five-piece band is on the mark." THE GUARDIAN said, "This celebration of South African music and black spirit breezes into the West End like a breath of fresh air.