Theatre - Warriors Of Brazil

Reviews, By Travis de Jonk, 3rd February, 2010

From the favelas of Salvador de Bahia straight into your heart, Warriors Of Brazil will give you a fantastic night of captivating live entertainment. Get ready for demonstrations of mind blowing athleticism from it’s sexy talented cast, infectious Brazillian rhythms and a wicked live concert feel.

I didn’t expect to like Warriors Of Brazil. I’ve been to a million shows that have been pitched like it, and I’ve walked out by half time. Terrible shows that outwardly encompass a sanatised white persons view of ethnic identity and paraded it like circus animal for the visual pleasure of pasty white rich folk. In the name of art of course.

I was very pleasantly surprised. Warriors Of Brazil was nothing like those shows. It was a glorious experience to behold; Captivating, Authentic and joyous.

Essentially, Warriors of Brazil takes you on a journey detailing some of Brazils most famous artforms and passions, through awesome live dance and music. Wonderful displays of Capoeria are spliced with brazillian songs, and brief story telling. It’s a simple but very effective live format.

There is a real sense of joy and celebration in this show. You get the sense of a company of talented performers who love every second of what they do, and they are committed to their performances. They really looked like they were having a ball. There was never a moment when the cast wasn’t wearing the biggest and most genuine smile you’ve ever seen. In true showmanship style this talented cast won’t stop till they get you dancing out of your seat.

The male dancers are so gorgeous, totally adorable, open, authentic, and real. Their bodies are absolutely cut, beautiful and defined and exerting the most incredible gob-smacking athleticism. You’ll be awed.

I have to single out the talented and stunningly beautiful lead vocalist, Paloma Gomez for her exquisite voice, beautiful big smile and undying enthusiasm that didn’t quit till the whole audience swayed.

There is a powerful underlying message under this theme of Brazillian cultural celebration. The incredible cast of dancers, singers and musicians that feature in Warriors Of Brazil are from Rhythm Carnival . Hailing from the favela of Candeal, the company famously saved its young people from a life of violence by encouraging them to trade their weapons for musical instruments.

In an interview I did earlier this year with the shows producer, Toby Gough, he told me “…Warriors Of Brazil is really joy and celebration. We often ask if all this [ dance, performance, art ] is still relavant. Well this show is a great demonstration of the power Art has to affect lives … for the better. The performers [ in the show ] are living examples of that.”

Members of the company have performed with Santana, The Fugees, Ricky Martin, Sergio Mendes and The Black Eyed Peas. Not surprisingly then, this show has a powerful live concert feel that grabs the audience and draws them in from beginning to end. It explodes with colour and movement. You’ll be captivated by that live feel. The lights, bodies and Capoeria will hold your eyes. You’ll feel every beat vibrate right inside you, and every sung note wash over you. The band will absolutely rock you! This is pure live entertainment at it’s best.

Warriors Of Brazil suffers slightly because it’s placed in a stuffy theatre. It makes it very awkward if you wanted to get up and dance … which you inevitably will want to do. It really needed standing / dancing room and a bar. Still, most people attending put aside the usual theatre conventions and just filled the isles dancing when the feeling inspired it. I have a feeling you will too.

Warriors Of Brazil plays at Her Majesty’s Theatre in Melbourne from 2nd till 7th February 2010, before moving to a season at Adelaide’s Festival Center from 9th till 11th February.