The incredible musical juggling of the Basketteuses de Bamako

This is a completely original, not to say disconcerting, spectacle. At the crossroads of rhythm, singing, dancing and... basketball! Indeed, the ball becomes the central element of the choreography and music of these “Basketteuses de Bamako”, written by the former juggler Thomas Guérineau. The troupe started its tour at the beginning of spring, with the fantastic “Spring” circus festival in Normandy. Since then, she has continued her odyssey throughout France, and has enjoyed great success.

Your servant had only experienced such a shock thirty years ago, when Pierre Cardin invited the drums of Japan to his Espace des Champs Élysées Ondekoza. We also regret that this theater has become, by the will of the Paris City Hall, a place of palaver and verbiage, where our basketball players from Bamako no longer have their place. We will therefore only be able to attend this show in the regions and suburbs.

As with the Japanese Drums in the past, this work gives pride of place to rhythm. The percussions repeat, plunging us into trance and hypnosis. Tirelessly, the basketball players hit their balls, generating breaks and striking rhythmic combinations. They advance in semi-darkness, sometimes uttering onomatopoeia or a few tribal songs, and thus lead us into the unknown, mysterious and unexpected world of this African musicality. It's extremely repetitive, but wildly energizing and never boring. It's very innovative and very pleasant to see and listen to. The public is not mistaken. He makes them triumph.

From May 12 to 13, 2024 / Neimenster, Luxembourg, from May 14 to 16, 2024 / Agora PNC Boulazac Aquitaine, May 5, 2024 / L'Ile-Saint-Denis - Au Coin de la Rue festival, May 28, 2024 / Theater