Review by anonymous
June 11, 2023 certified reviewerWhat I liked
I particularly enjoyed the theme of the show with its retelling of a politically critical time for a community of free people navigating a conflict with the Portuguese in Brazil. This theme incorporates the complexities of decisions leaders have to make, various motivations for choices in life, and the uncertainty of how decisions affect the future. Black diaspora, particularly Brazilian, culture is the core foundation of the show, providing both historical context and continuity of cultural threads into modern Afrobrazilian art forms and ways of life.
The integration of Brazilian dance and fighting traditions into the show gives the performance an exceptionally high physicality and energy that is exciting even beyond its context as an integral part of the story line.
What I didn't like
The story is very well told in the 90 minute performance. I feel like there are many more aspects that had to be left out, and I would enjoy another production that could explore more of the nuances of the story.
My overall impression
The Palmares show had a really interesting historical story line that was well told through dialog, narration, music, and physicality. It was exciting, interesting, and entertaining.
