The Cake Walkers

Aida Overton Walker pictured along with her hubby George A Walker in a publicity photo depicting their version of the famous Cakewalk in the 1903 play In Dahomey performed at the Shaftesbury Theatre in London, England.

The play was written by Will Marion Cook, Jesse A Shipp and Paul Laurence Dunbar. Synopsis: A musical comedy about a fraudulent scheme to return discontented Blacks to Africa. It was performed by a cast of about one hundred African American actors, and made a huge impact not only on the theatre but on fashion. Its display of dances such as the 'Cakewalk' and 'Buck and Wing' helped them become the latest dance hall crazes in the UK. Despite the show’s misrepresentations of Africa, it was a milestone because it was created and performed by an all-black cast and was the first to introduce an African theme to the musical genre.

A few historical facts about the play In Dahomey:

It was the first African American musical play.
It was created and performed by an all African American cast.
The show had 53 performances in New York,.
Had a seven month run in England.
The play ran between the years 1902 and 1905.
All music and lyrics were written by African Americans, Will Marion Cook and Paul Laurence Dunbar.

Source: V&A Theatre Collection