Rhythms – The Gumboot Show will set the stage on fire at the Gold Reef City when it officially opens The Lyric Theatre this weekend. Choreographed by Mduduzi Magagula, Rhythms will kick off on Friday and end on Saturday after four shows.
Back in 1871, miners came up with their own language. It was the language of the gumboots and it is brought back to life in this physical performance, a historical tale featuring authentic traditional South African dancing and singing. Performers use their black boots, pounding the ground and their hands beating, tapping, ringing, and vibrating the gum of the boots as their principal instruments.
All backed up by the rhythms of guitars, piano, percussion, marimba, and drums in English, Zulu, and Xhosa songs. Fierce dances, the art of rhythm, and captivating songs will make resisting the urge to get up, sing, and dance along with 15 performers impossible to resist!
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Together with choreographer, Magagula and musical director Vincent Ncabashe, director Magda Hadnagy will bring this important chapter in South African history back to life after 15 years. The show tells the story of miners, their hardships to provide for their families, as they leave Zululand to work in the mines.
“I wanted to create this show because I am committed to sharing this important part of South Africa realistically but memorably. The beginning of the show relays the history and then later on in the show we get to the early 1930s and go into gumboot songs. It is really about the South African miners’ history,” said Hadnagy.
Feron Somiah, Gold Reef City’s Marketing Manager is delighted to see The Lyric Theatre’s stage lights re-ignited once again with all COVID-19 protocols in place: “To re-open The Lyric Theatre with such an energetic show which echoes the resilience and passion of South Africans, is pure joy for our team and highlights the outstanding offerings we continue to provide at Gold Reef City.”
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