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Presented by: Galleon Theatre Company Co. Ltd. The Genesis Academy of Performing Arts
The Journey by Shadrock Porter
GREENWICH PLAYHOUSE
9 – 28 September, 2008
I
A review by Marion Drew for EXTRA! EXTRA!
The Genesis Academy of Performing Arts was founded in December of 2005, and re-organised in January 2007 by a group of Israelite Nation Worldwide Ministry community leaders. They believe that there is a need to provide community outreach programs as well as spiritual and cultural education through visual and performing art. 'The Journey’ tells the story of a people dispersed from the Iberian Peninsula to Western Africa, the Caribbean and the Americas. A people who travelled through time and space and found no rest, but still held on to that faith of eventually seeing “The Promised Land”. The actor/singers in this Academy, who are mostly self-taught, were clearly passionate about their beliefs and the importance of their spiritual mission. There was some lovely harmony singing when the core group of four to six performers sang in chorus, and there were one or two good strong voices. However, the story line was not strong enough to maintain a clear thread throughout and might have been strengthened by a more detailed and nuanced elaboration through the work of the brief resume that was given in the introduction. It may also have been enhanced by the presence of some sets, more substantial props and more varied lighting. These would have helped the audience to gain a stronger sense of the historical background and context of some of the choral pieces, and added extra theatrical interest. More fluid, less stilted choreography might also have helped keep audience interest and also, to build on the energy of the singing. The cast clearly enjoyed the experience, and some careful attention to polishing important aspects of the production would have helped me to enjoy it more as well.
Tuesday - Saturday 7.30pm, Sunday 4pm. TICKETS: £12, £10 (concs.) Box Office: 0208 858 9256 boxoffice@galleontheatre.co.uk GREENWICH PLAYHOUSE
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