YDC Theatre Premieres Djembe: The Spirit of Rhythm at Apollo Auditorium

YDC Theatre is proud to announce the premiere of its latest live performance, Djembe: The Spirit of Rhythm, set to take place at the iconic Apollo Auditorium. This powerful production is a celebration of African rhythm, memory, and movement—bringing together sound, story, and the human body in a dynamic theatrical experience.

Djembe: The Spirit of Rhythm draws inspiration from the djembe drum as more than an instrument; it is a living voice of community, resistance, healing, and collective identity. Through an electrifying fusion of live percussion, theatre, dance, and music, the production explores how African rhythm has been shaped as therapy, from ancestral ceremonies to contemporary urban life.

Written and directed by seasonal award-winning playwright Fumbani Innot Phiri Jr., with YDC Theatre’s creative ensemble cast: Ellastas Msiska, Nicholas Thombozi, Zoe Somba, Vanessa Malinda, and Thapelo Bwanali. The performance places the drummer at the heart of the narrative. The beat becomes a language, guiding characters through moments of conflict, joy, loss, and renewal. Each rhythm signals a shift in emotion and meaning, inviting the audience to listen not only with their ears but also with their bodies and memories.

The Apollo Auditorium provides the perfect setting for this immersive experience. Its intimate yet commanding space allows audiences to feel every drum vibration, transforming the performance into a shared ritual rather than a distant spectacle. Djembe: The Spirit of Rhythm is designed to be felt as much as it is seen.

As a theatre company rooted in social reflection and cultural expression, YDC Theatre continues its commitment to creating bold, original work that connects tradition with contemporary realities. This premiere marks another step in the company’s ongoing journey to elevate African performance narratives on local and international stages.