Sydney Festival is fantastic for allowing audiences to voyage throughout the world through theatre, dance and music. With Les Filles de Illighadad we’re transported to the Sahara in Niger.
Hailing from a small village in Niger, Les Filles de Illighadad combine Tuareg guitar (desert blues) with goat skin drum percussion and traditional vocals, youyous (ululation) and clapping. Tuareg guitar is usually played by men so it’s good to see these girls getting down. They’re hailed as Niger’s only women-led band beginning by sneaking off with a brother’s guitar… and now tour the world.
The traditional lyrics in Tourag (that I wish were explained between songs but their English seems minimal) are flavoured by the guitars (introduced to Niger in the 70s). The result is hypnotic. Fatou Seifi Ghali and Alamnou Akrouni sing and exchange instruments (guitar and percussion) and I find the music seems tighter and more driving when they switch to Fatou on percussion and Alamnou on guitar. They are accompanied by (male) Abdoulaye Madassane Alkika on guitar and desert gettup (just eyes and hands free to protect the body from the sand!).
I’m not sure the seating is a good idea though. While it’s catering to an older crowd I wonder if it would have been better to have seating to the side so the centre dance floor encouraged people to dance, or at least move. It’s not the type of music that’s easy to sit still to or just to watch and some of the older audience members are dropping off. Luckily half way through the show, people start dancing on the sides and the vibe relaxes.
Multimedia images of Niger could have been a beautiful addition to add visual component for those not dancing. But the traditional costume and lighting in the magical Spiegeltent are nonetheless stunning and the best alternative to listening under the desert skies.
Photo Prudence Upton.
