Do not miss RHYTHMS THE GUMBOOTS SHOW for 4 shows only at The LYRIC GOLD REEF CITY CASINO, GAUTENG, on the 13th and 14th of November, 2020. From 1871, their departure from Zululand to the mines, let yourself be transported by the tribal songs and be captured by the intense rhythms of the South African’s miners dances, the famous gumboots. This show is a physical performance, a historical tale and a digest of the best of traditional South African dance and singing. The principal instruments are their black boots, pounding the ground, and the callous hands of the dancers who beat, tap, ring and vibrate the gum. Guitars, piano, percussion, marimba and drums accompany the dances and songs in English, Zulu and Xhosa. Fierce dances, art of rhythm and captivating songs ... as all audience who have already attended the show, you will not resist the urge to get up and to dance entrained during 1:30 by fifteen fabulous dancers, singers and musicians from Soweto! RHYTHMS THE GUMBOOTS SHOW, a great moment of happiness to enjoy with your family. ‘’Gumboots gave silenced miners a voice’’ The Star (South Africa) ‘’Dancers leave audiences whistling, ululating’’ Daily Sun (South Africa)

Show poster, Rhythms The gumboots Show in Johannesburg.

It all begins in Zululand in 1871. The Zulus celebrate their departure for the mines of Johannesburg South Africa, leaving their wifes and children in the hope of a better live. In the suffocating heat of the mine, half naked and dressed in skins, the miners create the first codes of rhythmic languages using their tools. As time goes by, the miners abandon their skins for pants and rubber boots and the first rails are installed. Forced to work in an unsanitary and inhuman conditions, many of them die. Discovering a body lying in a cocopan (little wagon), one of the miner starts to shout. He is immediately warned by one of his own reminding him that it is strictly forbidden to speak. This is how they start hitting their boots in order to be able to communicate which each other. Other deported miners from Malawi, Mozambique, Zimbabwe meet with South African miners and exchange the different rhythmic codes of their languages giving birth to the dance of gumboots. Over time, during their break time, the miners meet to share rare moments of relaxation and hope by singing and dancing.

Mandla Nhlapo, Vocal Coach, Assistant Musical Director

Vincent Ncabashe, Author, Compositor, Musical Director

Magda Hadnagy, Creator, Director, Scenographer, Costume Designer

PHILIPPE BARREAU

Creator, Producer

After business school, Philippe started in the business more than twenty-three years ago by negotiating partnerships (sponsors and media) for theatres and for different entertainment production companies.

In 1996, he joined a producer and headed the communication and production departments.

In 2004, he decided to create his own entertainment company CITYPROD. Its influence is international and produces shows all over the world.

The shows produced so far are: Umoja, The Stars of Bolchoï, Acrobatic Nutcracker by the National Circus of China, Shadowland, Fire of Anatolia, Tribute to Miriam Makeba, The National Ballet of Cuba, Red Army Choirs, The Imperial Ballet of Russia, Georgian Legend, Natural Mystic Tour, Jimmy Cliff, Kool and The Gang, Soweto Gospel Choir, Magic Flute South African version, Tristan & Isolde The Symphonic Celtic Ballet, Cirkafrika, Sarafina ...

In 2017 Philippe realized his dream by resuscitating the magic of Les Miserables in a French version concert with a triumphant French tour that exports around the world.

In 2019 he has been the Executive Producer of the French Musical Siddhartha l’Opera Rock, which was a great success during 6 weeks at Le Palais des Sports de Paris.

This year Philippe will produce Rhythms The Gumboots Show and the world premières will take place in Johannesburg next February.

MAGDA HADNAGY

Creator, Director, Scenographer, Costume Designer

Magda began to learn the performing arts - singing, dancing, acrobatics – at a very young age.

When she was twelve, she sang in Opera de Paris choirs.

At seventeen, she brought her first album on the Polydor label in France.

Magda produced shows throughout the world, directing and choreographing them as well as designing the costumes and sets. At the same time, she also staged many shows for French and International productions.

In 2017 she took the artistic direction of CITYPROD and staged in particular the French version concert of the world phenomenon show Les Miserables.

In 2019 Magda ensured the staging, choreographies and scenography of the French Musical Siddhartha l’Opera Rock.

Beginning 2020, she staged and choreographed the new show Othello The Musical and in February she will be the stage director and scenographer of the new South African show Rhythms The Gumboots Show.

VINCENT NCABASHE

Author, Compositor*, Musical Director

Vincent Nickname “viva” was born and raised in Diepkloof in Soweto. While still in school he joined the Thabisong Youth Club which was formed in 1974 by Mrs Makhudu. The aim of the Youth club was to keep the children out of the streets, crime and drugs which for so many years was a great success as it produced the best. He received training in Drama, poetry and Dance.

In the Early 80's he was one of the members which formed a group called Rashile Poets which performed a lot in shopping malls, markets and community hall which gave him training and experience and growth to his craft. With that he toured Nationally and to neighboring countries to mention a few Swaziland and Cape town that is where he realized that his dreams and aspirations where finally coming true.

In 1990 he formed a group called Rishile Gumboot Dancers of Soweto which was one of the most amazing long successful Gumboot shows that toured South Africa and internationally. Vincent was a lead singer, Dancer and guitarist which carried the show beautifully with his talent. Gumboot show which performed in Market Theatre and in the whole world.

In 2019 he meets Philippe Barreau and Magda Hadnagy and decide to create together with Mduduzi Magagula a new version of the Gumboot show called Rhythms The Gumboots Show for which Vincent will be the author and compositor. He will also be on stage in the show as lead singer with always his inseparable guitar.

At the same time Vincent continues to devote the remaining time to training the young people of Soweto in dance (Gumboot) and music.

* for the songs : Africa unity, Abafana Bengoma Soweto, Thank You Lord, Ingoma Song, Celebration, The sun Is Rising

MDUDUZI MAGAGULA

Choreographer

Born in Soweto, Mduduzi began to learn tap dancing at the age of 12 under the direction of the South African Zwelibanzi "Mkhulu" Bhwangwe, the legendary old man. The latter does not only teach him to dance. It also teaches him about survival, discipleship, respect and prosperity.

In 2004 and 2005, he participated in two successful shows called Tapsula and Amataps at the Market Theater in Johannesburg.

In 2007, he joined the South African musical show Mother Africa as a choreographer and tap dancer. He stayed there for ten years and travelled several times in Europe, but also in America and Oceania.

For the 2017 and 2018 seasons he joined the new distribution of the South African Musical Sarafina as first dancer and participated in successful performances at the Joburg Theater in Johannesburg but also at the Fort de France Festival in Martinique.

MANDLA NHLAPO

Vocal Coach, Assistant Musical Director

Born in Soweto, Mandla begins to take an interest in the arts at the age of 12. He be trained as an actor, dancer, djembe and marimba player.

In 2000 he joins the dikwa band as a percussionist vocalist and collaborates with Ntiski and Thandiswa Mazwai, Sizwe Vena, Hugh Masekela and Sibongile Khumalo.

In 2007 he joins Vuyani Dance Theatre as a percussionist vocalist, and does tour the globe to places like USA, France, Congo, Mali, Angola, Switzerland to just count a few.

In 2013 he becomes Musical Director for Sinokhanyo Dance Theatre and in 2014 he represents South Africa in Cairo Egypt at the International drum Festival.

From 2017, he teaches music for three years in Johannesburg and at the same time made marimbas.

In 2019, he joins Rhythms the Gumboots Show as a percussionist, vocalist, coach vocal and Musical Director assistant.

OLIVER HAUSER

Lighting Designer

Oliver’s passion for lighting, his creativity, integrity, and energetic work ethic has become well known in the South African live events industry.

After achieving a diploma in Entertainment Technology in 2009, Hauser has worked on over 250 productions across a wide range of genres: Television, drama, comedy, opera, musicals, avant-garde dance, contemporary music, conceptual performance and corporate events.

He has designed, co-ordinated and managed lighting for productions at prestigious venues in Barcelona, Paris, Zurich, Berlin, Beijing, Lagos, the United States and in other cities internationally.

Some of his career credits include: The South African Music Awards 2018 & 2019, Avenue Q South Africa, Rock of Ages South Africa, Jonathan Roxmouth’s The Musicals in Concert (2017 & 2018), High School Musical (Associate designer), The Mystery of Irma Vep, Eve Ensler’s Emotional Creature, Molière’s Tartuffe, The Crucible, Reza De Vet’s African Gothic, African Footprint (Head of lighting), Gilbert & Sullivan’s Pirates of Penzance, Athol Fugard’s Boesman & Lena, The Coloured Museum, Percy Mtwa’s Bopha!, Beautiful Creatures, One More Night (A Phil Collins Tribute), Marat Sade, Gregory Maqoma’s “Cion” (Set design and technical management).

x