Like a tropical holiday, the evening with Island Rhapsody offered an experiential engagement with the sounds, sights and stories of Creole islands in the Indian Ocean.

Sitting at the tables in the State Theatre Centre Courtyard felt like being in an island town square or beachside village, as spectators participating in a local celebration. The performers chose a captivating formula to present various cultural aspects and share them with the audience.

The colourful and contagious dance moves, and the many songs, were interspersed with spoken words that were poetic, not didactic. Mention was made of the Indian Ocean, the moon, child play, but also freedom from slavery, and other aspects of life, history and culture.

As for languages, French-sounding words could at times be heard, especially in a song related to faith. When the main singer made a brief reference to 'sega', I remembered it is a dance from Mauritius. She also hinted at Maloya (from Reunion, as noted in the Fringe information) as having more complicated steps.

The audience was invited to learn the basic steps and moves, and happily followed the five women, on and off the stage. Their choice of costumes was effective, combining a swirling skirt with individual white tops, thus reflecting their different personalities, while maintaining harmony in visual and musical terms. Some also played at times one of the typical instruments, which, along with several others, was used by the skilled musicians that could be seen behind them.

The overall effect was indeed mesmerising, engaging and appealing. The rapport with the audience was remarkably direct, and the final list of names and places of origin led to enthusiastic applause and enriched the feeling of a shared experience, ideally across the water (and/or land). The initiatives of Salama, brilliantly staging music, song and dance from places that feel exotic, but are our neighbours in the Indian Ocean, surely deserve encouragement every time.