Stage and Screen Stage and Screen is an online publication offering the latest Entertainment news of Productions on Stage, and on Screens.
Classical Don Quixote opens in the Joburg Ballet’s Spring Season
Following Joburg Ballet’s spectacular Swan Lake in April and May, the ballet company’s Spring Season opens at the Joburg Theatre on Friday 28 August with the sparkling ballet classic, Don Quixote. A further eight performances of Don Quixote follow, with the season ending on Sunday 13 September. Also scheduled for the Spring Season is Celebration 7, a showcase of classical and new ballets, and Gauteng Opera’s Double Bill.
Set in bustling Barcelona, Don Quixote tells the story of vivacious Kitri and her love for Basilio, a poor young barber. But Kitri’s father has more ambitious marriage plans for his daughter, with the comedy unfolding in a cascade of dazzling classical ballet culminating in the famous Don Quixote Pas de Deux and a happy-ever-after ending as all dance into the Spanish sunset.
Don Quixote is being taught to the dancers of Joburg Ballet by Liane Lurie, acclaimed former ballerina and now a respected ballet teacher. During her dancing career, Ms Lurie performed the ballerina role of Kitri on many occasions, including in the legendary Rudolf Nureyev production of Don Quixote for PACT Ballet and Veronica Paeper’s production for CAPAB Ballet during the 1980s. The current production is Ms Lurie’s first engagement with Joburg Ballet.
The casting for Joburg Ballet’s upcoming season of Don Quixote features the company’s stars as well as visiting stars Cuban-born Jonhal Fernandez, principal dancer with the National Ballet of Ecuador, and Australian-born international guest artist, Aaron Smyth.
Also with Joburg Ballet for Don Quixote are Ms Guan Qi and Ms Sun Yujia and from the Liaoning Ballet of China. The visit of the two dancers from China further cements the partnership between Joburg Ballet and the Liaoning Ballet put in place during the season of Swan Lake earlier this year.
Following the Johannesburg season, Joburg Ballet embarks on a six-week national tour to Spain with Don Quixote and a ballet gala programme.
DON QUIXOTE:
WHEN: Fri 28 Aug 19:30; Sat 29 Aug 15:00; Sun 30 Aug 15:00; Tue 1 Sept 11:00; Sat 5 Sept 15:00; Sun 6 Sept 15:00; Fri 11 Sept 19:30; Sat 12 Sept 15:00; Sun 13 Sept 15:00
WHERE: Joburg Theatre
TICKETS: R100 – R400
BOOKING: At Joburg Theatre; on 0861 670 670; at www.joburgtheatre.com
