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A Symphonic Circus, First for Johannesburg.
Journey Beyond is an extraordinary artistic collaboration between Zip Zap Circus and the Johannesburg Youth Orchestra. After 2 immensely successful runs in Cape Town in 2017 and 2018, Journey Beyond will be performed for the first time ever at the Joburg Theatre in September, as part of Heritage month. Journey Beyond artfully blends mesmerising choreographed circus acts with orchestral masterpieces, amplified by soloist Zolani Mahola from Freshlyground. This Symphonic Circus will captivate, thrill and transcend audiences beyond their imaginations.
Zip Zap Circus School began their journey in 1992 from humble beginnings and inspired by a daring dream. To use circus performing art as a powerful tool for social transformation, youth empowerment and community upliftment. Today, they perform 65 shows nationally every year, have undertaken 30 world tours, gained local and global recognition and impact 2000 youth each year through their free social programmes. Many of their students have joined the world stage as professional performers.
The Johannesburg Youth Orchestra is a full symphonic orchestra comprising of entirely children playing stringed, wind and percussion instruments. Established in 1976, they are acclaimed throughout the city and further afield, providing training and performance opportunities for over 600 young people. Several young musicians who graduated from this project now work with the Johannesburg Philharmonic Orchestra.
Both non-profit organisations, this is a pioneering collaboration that merges world-class circus acts with classical orchestral renditions on one stage to create magic.
These are ordinary children who through sheer determination and hours of hard work have augmented enormous talent. This showcase is an exploration of talent that is set to break all boundaries, free the imagination and instil belief that those who dare to dream can transcend their social circumstances. This show is a celebration of the heritage of all South Africans.
What makes this partnership even more remarkable is that the different elements of the production will rehearse independently at their home bases. The directors then have just two days in Johannesburg to bring the unique elements of the show together and create a spectacular event.
Audiences can expect to be taken on a mesmerising musical and visual journey that pushes boundaries and reaches a crescendo of classical entertainment. A talented group of circus dare devils will jump, fly and soar effortlessly through the air in gravity-defying aerials and extraordinary acrobatics. The captivating beauty of these daring acts will be performed in concert with stirring symphonic performances and the hypnotic voices of Zolani Mahola and soprano, Zita Pretorius. This is what one can expect at Journey Beyond.
Journey Beyond – Symphonic Circus will be performing at the Johannesburg Theatre on Friday 20, Saturday 21 and Sunday 22 September.
Visit Joburg Theatre’s website for more info.
