South Africa’s longest-running show,
African Footprint, a Richard Loring Production, is an explosive stampede of song and dance that tells the vibrant and diverse story of South Africa through a display of traditional African; Kwela; Tap; Contemporary Ballet; Gumboot; and Hip-Hop Pantsula.
The first performance of
African Footprint was held on Robben Island on 31 December 1999, with the public début of the show in May 2000. This year brings the show into its 10
th-year running. The first performance was viewed by a global audience of millions and included guests of Honour Nelson Mandela and then President, Thabo Mbeki.
Since 1999,
African footprint has been seen by guests including His Royal Highness, Prince Charles; His Royal Highness, the Duke of Edinburgh; Bill Clinton;
Oscar winning actor Lou Gosset; and Danny Glover.
The production has played more than 3 800 performances since its début in May 2000. Nicknamed ‘The People’s Musical’ by reviewers in North America, Europe and the Far East, its cast has grown from the original 12 dancers and four drummers to a company of 34 today.
The non-stop, 90-minute musical story of Africa’s emergence onto the world stage is linked by the poetry of Sophiatown legend Don Mattera. Executive producer Richard Loring estimates the long-running hit has put more than approximately 200 South African performers into the international spotlight on the its way to travel the world.
The show recently completed a tour or Mexico; America; France; and Lebanon. Richard Loring regards the visit of the international media to preview
African Footprint in its home country as a significant opportunity. “We’re thrilled to showcase
African Footprint for them in front of a South African audience,” he says. “They’ll also have time to get around and see the changes in our country. That’s the message that
African Footprint celebrates whenever the curtain goes up, wherever we perform.”
“Theatre producers are a collective, working together to build a future for our talent and our audiences,” says Richard Loring. “Alfred Phakathi is a good example of this. He joined
African Footprint at 18, living in a shack in Mamelodi, outside Pretoria, with his grandmother. After some 3 400 performances with us and becoming our touring stage director, he joined a show in Europe where he was appointed Dance Director after six months and led 189 dancers in that production to rave reviews across Europe.
“Today, Alfred is back with us in
African Footprint. He’s married and owns his own home; he travels the world and speaks many languages, including German, and he is a fine example of the future of dance-musical theatre in South Africa.”