Schuhplattler Gruppe
The Boston Grammar School Schuhplattler Gruppe was a German dance troupe, based in Boston, Lincolnshire. It claims to be the only one of its type in the country.
The troupe started as a "one off" activity at a holiday reunion cabaret after a school trip to Germany.
The first 'full time' troupe was formed in late 1990's and instantly took off, proving extremely successful, winning local, county, national and international prizes in language festivals. A 10 Second appearance on BBC1's "The Clothes Show" in the early 1990's really started the phones ringing and since then, the troupe has performed at over 700 gigs at all kinds of of events, ranging from galas, fetes and parades to churches and old people's homes!
The first ever troupe, numbering just 9 people was invited to perform in Munich in 1992 at the world famous Oktoberfest. The next year, the Troupe won the Boston Lions' Youth Award and, following this, a troupe of 29 lads auditioned at Hull Truck Theatre for Michael Barrymore's "My Kind of People" show, going on to perform at the regional final at Sheffield's Medowhall, going down to great acclaim and meeting one very young, very nervous, Gareth Gates.
the troupe caught the eye of the BBC's "Blue Peter" and enjoyed an exciting day out at Shepherd's Bush studios rehearsing for a live performance at 5 pm, and again, delighted both the people of Britain and the then presenters Matt and Simon, who danced a routine with the troupe. Such was the interest in the act, that we were also featured in the Christmas show of the presenters favourite moments of the year.
- The Schuhplattler Gruppe on BBC Blue Peter in 2001
The Schuhplattlergruppe come on stage
Slapping is all part of the dance
Blue Peter presenters Simon Thomas and Matt Barker join in
Demonstrating the "upside-downer"
The Schuhplattlers take the applause
One regular, annual gig is the Spalding Flower Parade where the troupe can be seen performing with the Spalding Apfeltizers Oompah Band.
Another television appearance followed a successful audition for "Britain's Got Talent"[1] - although the troupe was turned down by Simon Cowell it was a big hit with the audiences, camera crew and Stephen Mulhern on "Britain's Got More Talent"!