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Cabaret 2025
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Yes-Ya-Yebo! 5***** - One4Review

Yes-Ya-Yebo! 5*****

| On 06, Aug 2025

In the Ballroom at the Counting House — a room more commonly home to stand-ups clutching a COVID Cornetto and monologuing about their surprise ADHD diagnosis — something seismic is stirring.
Yes-Ya-Yebo! isn’t just a show. It’s a statement. A surge of rhythm, resilience, and radiant energy straight out of Cape Town, delivered by a group who’ve battled far more than bad lighting or a dodgy mic. The stage is small, the potential for technical gremlins high, but the South African ensemble handle it all with infectious swagger. It puts the cries of foul from pampered performers into sharp perspective.
The title — meaning “Yes” in three of South Africa’s 12 official languages — says it all. This is an emphatic, multilingual, full-throttle affirmation of identity, culture, and joy. From the opening shout of “Welcome to Cape Town!”, you’re dropped headfirst into a celebration of South African spirit: big voices, bold moves, and a beat that doesn’t quit.
What follows is an hour of township soul and showmanship — a vibrant mix of song, dance, rhythm, colour, and sheer presence. The choreography snaps with precision and personality. The vocals soar. There’s no narrative gimmick, no conceptual padding — just relentless charisma and cultural pride, delivered with a heartbeat you can feel in your chest.
Songs you’ll recognise — Pata Pata, Shosholoza (once sung by miners, now a second national anthem) — stir something deep and patriotic. But it’s what you don’t know that intoxicates: African lullabies, and songs like Kowola Kwela (Police Van) echo with history and life. This isn’t a video-wall production — it’s pure, unadulterated talent. And by the end, they’ve got you dancing in the aisles.
Presented by The Imibala Trust — a charity supporting children from impoverished communities — this is more than performance. It’s opportunity. It’s platform. It’s proof of what can happen when talent meets trust. These aren’t stage-school polishers — they’re natural-born performers, some dancing with their future.
The Free Fringe should be applauded for giving space to a show like this. It’s a celebration, yes — but also a call to arms. Amid the noise of the Fringe machine, here’s a voice that deserves to ring out from every rooftop.
If South Africa has taught us anything, it’s how to rise against adversity. These artists have done just that — showing up, showing out, and making the walls of a tiny ballroom feel like a stadium. Now let’s get them out there, breathing the same air as the big guns.
In any language, say it with us: Yes. Ya. Yebo!, is something real, moving, joyous and a triumph.
*****
Reviewed by Steve H
Laughing Horse @ the Counting House
17.30 (1hr) Until 11 Aug
Then JTT Caves from 13 to 24 Aug (not 19)
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Comments

  1. August 28, 2025

    Reply
    Maria

    this was one of the best shows i’ve ever been to. i was sat at the back, but i could still see and feel the energy so clearly. the songs were so amazing, i was literally swinging side to side onb all the cast sang so well and honestly i was jaw dropped by the dancing. and they all did it with smiles on their faces. i know if i tried that i’d be on the floor crawling off the stage i have so much more to say but i don’t want to overload this box, the show was genuinely so amazing, im really excited to see Yes-ya-yebo succeed!!!

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