Black Blues Brothers Electrify Edinburgh: Unforgettable Performance at McEwan Hall!

In their fifth year at the festival, a group of Kenyan acrobats have returned to dazzle audiences with a performance set to classic hits, starting with iconic tunes from Chubby Checker and Sam Cooke that celebrate the art of twisting. Their show cleverly integrates 1950s dance frenzy moves into their circus acts, but it truly soars during Jackie Wilson’s “Reet Petite.” Wilson’s unique vocal style and playful lyrics enhance the performers’ evident delight in pushing their physical boundaries and eliciting cheers from the audience with shouts of “Look-a there, ooh wee!”

The show, directed by Alexander Sunny and choreographed by Electra Preisner and Ahara Bischoff, opens with a somewhat lengthy scene. The acrobats are depicted at a train station, having just missed their train to Chicago. They remove their macs, hats, and shades, yet they keep their formal suits on.

As they wait for the next train, they engage in their routines, presenting them as a casual way to pass the time. They repeatedly use coins to either play another song on the jukebox or to make a phone call to a sweetheart they are leaving behind. Throughout these sequences, the performers maintain a stoic expression, contrasting with their agile movements.

Creating human pyramids is a highlight of their act. In one stunt, an acrobat balances upside-down on top of another’s head, while another hangs off to the side without using hands, all amidst much excitement. They use each other’s bodies as drums and springboards, adding a playful touch to their impressive feats. The Marcels’ doo-wop sounds add humor to their ambitious attempts to reach a metaphorical blue moon, while Elvis Presley’s “A Little Less Conversation” energizes a rapid sequence of diving through hoops.

However, as the show progresses, the humor starts to feel repetitive and the scenarios become somewhat predictable, echoing the 1950s themes a bit too closely. An ongoing gag involving a nagging woman’s voice on the phone feels overused. Additionally, a scene where a woman from the audience is invited on stage for the acrobats to serenade feels awkward and offers little new entertainment.

Despite these moments, the performance remains lively with tracks like “Choo Choo Ch’Boogie” keeping the energy high. The acrobats continue to impress with rope tricks, backflips, and limbo dancing, all the more remarkable given the demanding schedule of their festival appearances, never once loosening their ties.

• At McEwan Hall, Edinburgh, until 25 August

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