Group brings music to bus routes (From South Wales Argus)

Grassroots Theatre Group perform African music at Nepwort Bus Station

5:30pm Thursday 1st November 2012 in Gwent news By Argus reporter

BUS users in Newport were treated to a surprise concert by a travelling African choir.

Armed with African drums and instruments, the Grassroots Theatre Group performed for passengers and drivers at Newport Bus Station on Tuesday.

The group help disadvantaged communities in their homeland of Zimbabwe and have been raising awareness of their work as part of a UK tour, which began in June and has included a string of sell-out performances at the Edinburgh Fringe Festival.

During their tour Newport Transport's engineers helped ensure the group’s mini-bus was fit for the road.

The concert was the group's way of saying thank you to the firm and also to the Newport-based Grass Roots Art UK who helped support the group’s latest trip.

Ephson Ngadya, Grassroots Theatre Group founder, said: “We have performed in many venues across the UK, but this will certainly be our most unusual yet. We enjoy bringing our work and music to people and performing at Newport Bus Station gives us a wonderful opportunity to do just that “We are very grateful to the support of Newport Transport and Grass Roots Art UK. Without their support our work would not be possible.”

Scott Pearson, managing director of Newport Transport, said they were rpoud to support the group and hoped customers and bus drivers enjoyed the unique performance.