They sing that Nelson Mandela taught them to throw off the chains around their ankles and celebrate their magnificent country. Celebration is at the heart of this joyous, exuberant show; but, among the dancing and drumming and close-textured singing, there is also a story - and it is not a nice story.
Gumboot dancing was born in the gold mines of South Africa, to which, under the migrant labour system, black workers were transported thousands of miles, to toil in appalling, often shackled, underground conditions for months on end. Under the oppressive apartheid laws, they came from all corners of this vast land, gaining no personal profit in the process. Their only shared language was rhythm and, in a proud effort to communicate, entertain and preserve their sanity, they slapped their rubber boots, rattled their chains and a new art form was born.
In this highly theatrical, strikingly designed and lit, powerfully physical show, nine superbly fit dancer-singers and three drummers perform with humour, pathos and a large dollop of sex appeal for 90 non-stop minutes.
While the show's overall impact would be greater if 10 minutes or so was lost, it is impossible to resist the infectious presence of these engaging and oh-so-talented young Soweto men, who clearly feel the story and the roots culture with every ounce of their being.