welcome to SHona
What is Shona?
Shona is as Scottish a name as you can find, but it is also a tribal name in southern Africa. Amazing African musicals don’t come along often, and Shona the Musical is a rare phenomenon indeed. It brings together a mixed cast of black and white characters which is unusual in African musicals. The wonderful costumes, the intoxicating music, the powerful story is all skilfully told by an insanely talented cast.
The Lion King has been a torchbearer for African-inspired musicals for years. Shona the Musical is that new kid on the block which will delight and amaze in equal measure. The story is based on recent events in Zimbabwe. Under Robert Mugabe, Zimbabwe burned and the lives of its black and white citizens were thrown into turmoil.
Shona the Musical captures the drama of these events and hits its audience in the solar plexus with its sheer audacity. If you are looking for a theatrical experience that will change you forever, come see Shona the Musical.
With an eclectic musical score, exuberant dancing, rhythmic drumming, colourful costumes and a diverse cast, Shona the Musical is a contemporary portrayal of people’s lived experiences in post-colonial Africa.
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Our Goal
Neo Vilakazi, creator of Shona the Musical, seeks to create outstanding music informed by the wealth and diversity of the Black African/Scottish experience. Our goal is to nurture Scottish based black singers and talent, open doors for the choir to reach new audiences, create a permanent record of the choir’s music, and inspire dialogue within communities across Scotland and beyond.
Neo writes:
“When the ‘Black Lives Matter’ movement reached Scotland, it changed the landscape for me as an artist and gave me the rare opportunity to create Shona The Musical. The production has recently toured around major theatres nationally which enabled me to employ many disadvantaged black artists.
I now wish to record an album of the production’s unique songs so we can share them more widely. Myself and the Choir are very excited to engage with you, and your donation will help us to strengthen the voice of marginalised artists and help us realise our dreams.”