“˜Gumboots’ offers stompin’ fun
By Daily Bruin Staff
Nov. 26, 2000 9:00 p.m.
The Marketing Group Vincent Ncabashe performs a
traditional gumboots dance in a musical production of "Gumboots"
directed by Zenzi Mbuli.
By Barbara McGuire
Daily Bruin Senior Staff
Rhythm is the ultimate form of communication.
“Gumboots,” a musical now showing at the Wilshire
Theatre, focuses on the rhythm of the gumboots dance form which
originated in the South African apartheid mines.
Though an English narration is provided throughout the
performance, the a cappella songs, performed in sync with the
step-like dance moves, are mainly sung in the native languages of
the dancers who also hail from South Africa. What becomes apparent
as the evening progresses, however, is the fact that directly
understanding the words of the songs is not what is important.
The tale of “Gumboots” tells the history of the
unique and moving dance form while illustrating what the lives of
the miners were like. One does not need to comprehend the songs
that express the sentiments of the miners to know that there was
suffering.
Incorporating facial expressions and sign language-like
movements into the dances, the 12 cast members communicate the
emotions their characters experience, as well as the story
line.
For instance, in “Mabele,” a song about being drunk
on love, viewers are able to decipher the intoxication through the
staggering movements of the actors, as well as their facial
expressions.
The musical numbers aren’t the only aspect of
“Gumboots” which remain true to tradition. The costumes
worn by the actors also hold true to the original outfits worn by
the miners. With baggy pants, brightly colored bandannas and
Wellington boots, the audience is truly taken back to the mines in
apartheid South Africa.
Though the subject matter of the performance is potentially
negative, the dancers of “Gumboots” never let the mood
fall too low. Songs like “I’m Too Sexy,” in which
each dancer presents himself as the sexiest man, pick up the
mood.
It’s true that the miners were sometimes thousands of
miles away from their homes, wives and children, as the song
“Joburg” explains. The men, however, always managed to
look at the bright side of things and have a little fun. The
audience learns how, for the miners, there was always time to party
after work.
Vincent Ncabashe, lead dancer and choreographer as well as the
writer of many of the songs, leads the group with an amazing energy
and enthusiasm that is infectious for both his fellow dancers and
the audience. During synchronized pieces, for instance, viewers
often found themselves unable to control the urge to clap their
hands and stomp their feet.
Ncabashe proves to be quite a character, reaching a wide range
of octaves with his voice, in addition to flawlessly playing the
guitar while stomping at the same time. All the dancers, however,
deserve equal recognition for a job well done.
Pieces such as “Train,” in which each dancer makes a
different sound for an incoming train, demonstrate how
knowledgeable and trained these men are. “Train” proves
to be one of the many highlights of the performance, as the dancers
form a type of conga line that symbolic represents a train.
Though some dance grow repetitive by the end of the evening,
they do not bore the audience due to the varied accompanying songs,
as well as the fact that the dance itself is interesting.
Director Zenzi Mbuli, who was recently named South
Africa’s Young Achiever of the Year, does a wonderful job
positioning the dancers, as it becomes apparent that each has his
own unique interpretation and style of gumboots dance. The
resulting entourage personalizes each piece and gives the show a
memorable flavor.
“Gumboots” proves, that out of an adverse situation,
unique to South Africa, an art form can be created, using rhythm as
a language, that all can understand and enjoy.
THEATER: “Gumboots” is now showing at the Wilshire
Theatre, 8440 Wilshire Blvd., Beverly Hills, through Dec. 10.
Performances are Tuesday through Saturday at 8 p.m. and Sunday at 2
p.m. and 7:30 p.m. Ticket prices range from $32 to $57 and can be
purchased through Ticketmaster by calling (213) 365-3500, visiting
any of their outlets, or by logging on to www.ticketmaster.com.
