WHAT GUMBOOTS MEANS TO US

Our first introduction to South African music was from Paul Simon with his album 'Graceland'. We had never heard anything quite like it before. Paul Simon had recorded his album with various South African artists causing a lot of controversy in the music world. We saw a documentary about the making of Graceland which included a song by Ladysmith Black Mambazo. During the recording of this song they were stamping their feet in time with each other and with the rythmn of their singing. They were using their bodies as musical instruments. It was something we had never seen before and it stayed with us. We tracked down a tape of theirs and became great fans.

When we received a leaflet from the Theatre Royal at Norwich about a show called 'Gumboots' based on the South African tradition of Gumboot dancing, it reminded us of the rhythm and music of Ladysmith Black Mambazo and we thought me might enjoy it.

The first show made a huge impression on us. The music was similar to Ladysmith but more fun and the dancing was far more energetic. To see these six lads smiling throughout the hour and a half (with no interval) whilst dancing continuously at a pace that would put Michael Flatley to shame, was amazing. When we left the theatre we were disappointed that we could not remember any of the songs. We decided we wanted to see the show again. We eventually saw the show 24 times in the following nine months, travelling 7500 miles around England.

At the end of every show we would say 'that's it, no more, we don't want to see it again'. A few days later, we would start singing the songs and dancing and we would begin planning the next trip.

We always sat in the front row, as near as possible to the centre of the stage. After a few shows, the lads began to recognise us and we started meeting a few of them. By the time the UK tour was finished, we were firm friends with them all, we knew all of the songs and could do most of the dances (but only sitting down). The show never failed to impress us and we were always left wanting more. On the last night of the UK tour we sat in the bar with them and they started singing 'Shosholoza'. To hear these lads singing their unofficial National Anthem just for their own pleasure was a memorable experience.

In January 2001 we went to Miami especially to see the show and were lucky enough to see it three times from the front row each time. The show was as good, if not better, than we remembered even with new cast members and changes to the routines. It was worth every penny.

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