African Footprint performs in Dubai
Collett Dawson
Internationally acclaimed African Footprint is on a performance tour at the Dubai Global Village in Dubai from 9 to 30 December.
Inspired in 1998 by Australia’s Tap Dogs, Richard Loring’s dream of creating a show to reflect South Africa’s vibrant diversity was realised by drawing on talent from the streets of Soweto. After 16 months of rehearsal and show development, excerpts of the show were presented on Millennium night on Robben Island before Nelson Mandela, Thabo Mbeki, a VIP audience and televised worldwide to two billion people.
African Footprint melds Afro-centric and Euro-centric music in an energetic and joyous celebration of life that expresses the pride, passion, laughter and dreams of the people of South Africa from ancient to modern times in this “explosive stampede of song and dance”.
Performing the uniquely African kwela-jive, gumboot, tap, contemporary, ballet, hip-hop and pantsula, the highly energised cast has had audiences leaping to their feet in sustained applause at over 4000 performances around the world from USA, China, India, Australia, Canada, Africa and Europe.
The show opened the new Globe Theatre, Gold Reef City Casino, on 11 May 2000 notching up awards: Naledi Award’s Best Choreography and Best Lighting and the Vita Award’s Best Musical, Best Ensemble and Best Lighting.
Critics were unanimous in their praise and word of mouth drew crowds of all ages and cultures as well as attention of TV producers including CNN, Reuters and the BBC’s Royal Variety, resulting in footage being screened to millions of television viewers.
International producers’ interest was sparked and so began years of ‘sold-out’ performances around the world. Most recently, African Footprint performed for Empowerment groups such as Enactus and the India-African Forum Summit (in India) as well as numerous corporate companies and events.
The show has enthralled audiences from all cultures with inspiring words of poet Don Mattera, choreography of Debbie Rakusin and David Matamela and Dave Pollecutt’s lyrical, pulsating music with audiences being taken on an emotive journey of pride, love, conflict, reconciliation and passion.
Producer Richard Loring’s philosophy is that “The audience should leave the theatre feeling optimistic, proud and above all, entertained!”
The show, set against large screen images of Africa, will play 3 – 4 times daily, adding up to some 80 shows between 9 to 30 December 2019.
