Interview: Swing Gum
Swing Gum is a tap dance musical coming all the way from Switzerland that tells the true love story of K.T. Robbins and Jeannine Ganaye. The show explores dynamic dance numbers combined with songs to bring their emotional story to life.
Ticket link: https://www.edfringe.com/tickets/whats-on/swing-gum
Venue: Lower Theatre at theSpace @ Niddry St
When: 24th - 29th August
Could you tell us a bit more about yourself and what Swing Gum is all about?
Created by renowned Swiss choreographer Fabrice Martin, Swing Gum is a tap dance musical that tells the true love story of K.T. Robbins and Jeannine Ganaye. The pair fell in love in wartime Meurthe-et-Moselle in 1944 before being separated by deployment. Seventy-five years later, they were reunited during an emotional television broadcast that captured hearts around the world. It is a story of love divided by war, yet never forgotten, brought to life by Martin’s Tap Dance Company (MTDC).
Founded in 1997 by Fabrice Martin, MTDC unites world champion multidisciplinary performers in award-winning productions that have toured extensively across Europe and beyond. The company combines boundary-breaking, intricate footwork with Fabrice’s signature cheeky sense of humour. Since its debut in 2023, Swing Gum has risen rapidly to success, earning glowing reviews throughout its extensive tour of France and Switzerland. With thrilling choreography, heartfelt storytelling, and a cocophony of multimedia and props, it is set to make an unforgettable Edinburgh Fringe debut this year.
The true love story of KT Robbins and Jeannine Ganaye is so incredibly beautiful and emotional. What was your first reaction when you saw their viral TV reunion, and how did you know this story had to be turned into a dance musical?
When we first saw K.T. Robbins and Jeannine Ganaye’s reunion, the whole company was completely moved. Beyond the touching romance of their story, what struck us most in a post-covid climate was the humanity behind it - two people separated in strife, carrying a lifetime of memories and love, then finding their way back to each other decades later.
Fabrice has always had a penchant for storytelling through dance and over the years has become a pioneer in the field. He has the unrivalled ability to spot a great story and bring it to life, and this particular story held all the elements of a great musical: love, loss, hope, courage, and the power of raw human connection. Swing Gum was created because MTDC felt compelled to tell this evocative story of love and connection in some of the most universal languages in the world: music and dance.
You are bringing together tap, swing, body percussion, and actual archival wartime footage to tell this story. What was the creative process like to translate such a historic, real-life romance into these energetic dance styles?
The creative process was an intense and inspiring month-long journey, with rehearsals taking place every day under the direction of Michel Lopez and choreographers Fabrice Martin and Martine Harmel. Our goal was to honour the truth and emotion of K.T. and Jeannine’s story while translating it into the high-energy dance styles that define Martin’s Tap Dance Company.
We explored the rhythms of each chapter of their lives, creating movement motifs to reflect the joy of youth, the brutality of war, the pain of separation, and the peace of reunion. Through choreography, research, and many hours of discussion, Swing Gum remained rooted in real history while celebrating the human emotions at its heart. The archival footage from the National Audiovisual Institute and France Télévisions was invaluable, helping the company connect with the people they portray on stage.
This is your big UK debut here at the Edinburgh Fringe! How does it feel to bring this vibrant, heartfelt French production to one of the biggest and most exciting theatre festivals in the world?
It is an absolute honour to bring Swing Gum to the Edinburgh Fringe! After the incredible response we’ve received in Switzerland and France (including winning Best Musical at Avignon OFF 2023) it feels like the natural next step in the journey of this very special show.
This story is precious to us; each and every member of Martin’s Tap Dance Company truly feels privileged to share K.T. and Jeannine’s extraordinary love with the world. We hope Edinburgh audiences connect with the emotion and humanity of the piece as deeply as audiences have so far. And who knows - maybe bringing Swing Gum to the Fringe is also an exciting opportunity to open up the show up to a more international audience beyond the festival!
If you had to pick one scene or routine in Swing Gum that completely captures the spirit and energy of the entire show, which one would it be and why?
It’s hard to pick just one moment in the show that truly encapsulates the range of emotions that the characters go through, but if we had to choose a scene that truly captures the spirit of Swing Gum, it would be the Military Dance/Scene. It’s in this moment, whilst the German military are searching for K.T., that we watch him and Jeannine truly fall in love.
It goes without saying that the tap dance in this section is full of fire and energy, but what makes the scene truly special is the storytelling between the loved up couple. Though they don’t speak the same language, they do their best to understand one another and their connection shines through. It’s clear to see that their communication goes beyond words - it’s palpable. The audience becomes completely invested in these characters and start to really root for their happy ending. It perfectly represents what Swing Gum is about!
Apart from having an amazing time tapping along in their seats, what is the main message or feeling you hope the Fringe audience takes home with them after the show?
Above all, we hope audiences leave with a renewed sense of hope. Swing Gum is a reminder that even in the darkest moments, human connection can still be found. Despite war, distance and the passing of decades, the bond that K.T. and Jeannine share never truly disappeared - that’s an incredibly hopeful message, especially today.
We also want people to be reminded that dance and music are universal languages. You don’t need to speak the same words to understand the human experience and have empathy for one another. If audiences leave the theatre feeling uplifted, moved, and inspired to cherish the people around them a little more, then we’ll feel we’ve done justice to this extraordinary true story.
