The Mermaid from Zanzibar is a musical story-telling show featuring Pedro Espi Sanchis. In this show, Pedro holds the stage on his own, using his masterful skills as a story-teller and musician to bring this adventure story to life. The heroine of the story is a very independent and very musical African mermaid with a host of friends under the sea and some on land as well. The place is Zanzibar, the year is 1873, and the slave trade has just been outlawed. When she has to fight for her freedom, her friends unite to help her. The themes are freedom and friendship.

Like all of Pedro’s shows, this is a celebration of world music, made accessible to all. Instruments are fashioned out of dry seaweed, shells, flotsam, and even fishing rods and ship-wrecked amphora are used to make magical sounds. Pedro cannot play all these instruments on his own, and audience participation plays a major part. There are wonderful songs written specially for this show.

In addition to Pedro’s expert story-telling, clowning and music, there is an enchanting visual dimension to the show in the form of shadow puppetry by Jill Joubert. The Mermaid from Zanzibar is written and directed by Lisa Espi. It is suitable for children aged 4 to 10. Their parents and grandparents will love it too.

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