MELANINA — Return to Origin is in residence at Century City where it will run until December 2027.
Conceptualised by Richard Griffin, and jointly directed by Craig Leo and Valentina Leo, Melanina – Return to Origin is a new chapter for Zingara that offers a fresh perspective while weaving in familiar elements that audiences will recognise from previous shows.
There are a number of changes from before, both with the show and the food. The. structure surrounding the spiegeltent is more permanent for starters. And your experience begins with how you get inside. Personally I wasn’t a fan of this bit as it is disorienting. It probably would have been more fun if I hadn’t been on my own and there has been someone to catch me if I stumbled through the darkness and mirrors. I don’t want to give spoilers myself because there’s only one chance of a first impression but if you go to the Countess’s Instagram there is a reel which shows the whole thing. Your call.
Inside the tent, the food part begins with canapés in the foyer areas, for which you should arrive early if you are not to miss out. Drinks are available from various bars, face painting is still available, as is the shop should you feel underdressed. Inside the main tent, where you take your seats, the meal continues — flatbreads and I think they said baba ghanoush. I was already full of canapés.
The format of the evening remains the same. The floor fairies explain the starter to share between two (gnocchi in a sweet tomato sauce with cucumber salad, a cool dipping sauce and a burny dipping sauce) and main course options, which are served after the first and second shows. Gone is the ubiquitous choc chilli steak (although it manifests as a bite-size canapé), replaced with mostly pink fillet topped with caramelised onions and the biggest and best darn marrow bone I’ve encountered in my life. Other options are spatchcock chicken which no one at our booth ordered so cannot report; line fish with more burny sauce; and cauliflower steak for vegetarians, which was enjoyed to the point of running fingers around the plate to get every last smidgeon of sauce, so that was a success. Vegetable sides for the table.
Dessert was served straight after the main course, also to be shared between two, serving the purpose for a sweet ending. The tableside close-up magic was even sweeter.
Right. The show. Overall there is more singing and musical numbers than before, with a live band, and fewer circus acts. But those that there are magnificent. Jaw-dropping. So insanely dangerous. Utterly thrilling. The whole point is to make the audience think what could go wrong…one slip and they’d be calling in the medics.
The international cast incudes Michelle Maurin, a hair-hanging aerial artist from Mexico; Carlos Serrano from Cuba does aerial straps, solo and later together with Maurin; and Stephane Pansa’s (French Guiana) slack wire act is breathtaking in skill, balance and beauty. Mohamed and Henri are daring human jugglers from Ethiopia, superb! It wouldn’t be Zingara without a trio of Mongolian contortionists, and the grand finale is the strongman act: Momo and Fujo from Tanzania who are just ridiculously good.
Jay Dee America, Crystal Finck, Rori Bingham and Mukovhe Monyai (MK) make up the versatile dance quartet with choreography by Grant van Ster. Rory Avenstrup is the little cherub who sings the Cuppycake song from the top of the tent, assisted by Gloire Elumba. You’ll also find Rory in the foyer taking confession looking like a tiny Ozzy Osbourne and absolving the penitent with “holy water”. Rory has been with Zingara since day one and it’s always such a joy to see her still part of it.
The upbeat soundscape, anchored by a seven-piece band, is conducted by Sam Ibeh and the members — some of whom have played with Hugh Masakela — include Diphapang Ramasimong (drums), Gabriel Stuurman (Keys), Senzo Mzimela (trombone), Sydney Mnisi (sax), Mamba Nkopane (trumpet),Lee Ludolph (lead guitar), McNulty Sizwe Mashinini (piano/keys) and Alvin Hendricks (bass guitar). Ann Masina, Lelo Ramasimong, Thato Makape and Anzio September are on vocals. The enigmatic Emcee is Donovan Yaards.
Whether it’s your first time or your 10th, Zingarians can expect to be immersed in an atmospheric space where the joy of diversity, individuality and connection is celebrated.
PHOTO CREDIT: Armand Hough
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