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Something of a damp squib
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Windrush: A Celebration
Barbican Hall, London
DESPITE a handful of high points, including cameos from king and queen of calypso Mighty Sparrow and Calypso Rose, mostly what we got at this Barbican celebration was an atmosphere of subdued and sometimes angry contemplation.
Many in the audience were clearly keen to cut loose and enjoy themselves but the pace and demeanour of the show rarely gave them that opportunity.
Partly this was due to the discordant, jazz-tinged nature of much of the material curated by British-Trinidadian poet Anthony Joseph, whose own words set to music were integrated into the evening’s entertainment.
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