Words: Clare Roberts

5 stars 

Join the cadet training programme and launch into an outstanding story filled with amazing acrobatics and thrills. 

It feels like there is a space renaissance with many of us following the Artemis II mission. We all know the story of Apollo 11, of one giant leap for mankind. But not enough of us know that before Buzz Aldrin hopped across the lunar surface, another crew in Zambia, led by visionary Edward Mukuka Nkoloso, had also entered the space race. 

Based on true events IN 1964, Zambia’s independence from the UK runs in tandem with the hard-won gains of the small crew, poetically highlighting their plight for space flight. We gasped and awed as the performers spun on aerial silks and stood upright on top of each other. The show added more texture with projections of the galaxy, moon, and footage of the real squad training. A clip from a BBC interview at the time brought home the obstacles the team were facing for daring to dream such a fantastic goal. 

Although they didn’t have the same level of resources and governmental support as their competitors, they refused to let that stop them from imagining and we get to watch. Their hope is contagious and what we need in this climate. 

A Circus Zambia and Wake The Beast production, Afronauts is a fantastic show for all-ages to enjoy. Their stint at the Edinburgh Fringe is just one leg of their international tour. Catch them before they fly away. 

Afronauts 
Udderbelly at Underbelly, George Square 
13:55 
6 – 31 Aug (not 12, 17, 24)