There is no need for ballet lovers and jazz aficionados to watch their favourite art form in two separate theatres. The ground-breaking artistic collaboration, When Ballet Meets Jazz, brings together a group of young classical and contemporary dancers from Mzansi Ballet and Carstens Ireland Ballet Studio and a formidable sextet of amazing Jazz musicians. Unfamiliar with each other’s worlds, these young and talented artists will take their audience through a touching discovery of a diverse cultural heritage, where dance and music become one.

This unique concept created in October 2016, will run at the Teatro at Montecasino and brings together the Mzansi Ballet, in collaboration with the renowned pianist, academic and musical leader/director Andre Petersen, as well as Jazz executive producer, Aymeric Péguillan. Their shared artistic vision has given birth to an original production that will present a memorable journey into artistic creativity, exploring mostly the SA, as well as some pieces of the International Jazz standard repertoires, in harmony with freshly crafted modern choreographies, combined with a few more classical pieces.

When Ballet meets Jazz, is a unique music and dance collaboration that will make you discover the rich heritage of South Africa Jazz and how its unique voice marries exquisitely with dance.

The production is spearheaded by Production Manager Aymeric Péguillan. Musical Direction is under the baton of Andre Petersen, while choreographies are jointly choreographed by John Motebejane Tsunke, Natasha Ireland and Dirk Badenhorst.

The Band Members are comprised of Andre Petersen, as leader and musical director and includes Siya Makuzeni, Mthunzi Mvubu, Neville Nhlanhla Radebe, Lwanda Gogwana and Sphelelo Mazibuko, while the dancers feature Tayla De Bie, Veronica Louw, Michaela Louw, Angela Revie and Nehanda Péguilla, all from Carstens Ireland Ballet Studio. The male dancers are duo Aaron Smyth and John Motebejane Tsunke.

Compositions for When Ballet meets Jazz are by Abdullah Ibrahim, Bheki Mseleku, Alan Silinga, Moses Molelekwa, Andre Petersen, Pablo Lapidusas, Leo Espinosa, Anthony Newly and Leslie Bricusse. The works presented include, among others, some beautiful neo classical and contemporary choreography to amazing jazz standards, as well as ballet highlights like the Cygnets from Swan Lake and the ever popular The Dying Swan.

When Ballet Meets Jazz

Teatro at Montecasino

24 October 2018 to 28 October 2018

Wednesday to Saturday at 20h00 and Sunday at 15h00

2 Acts of 40 minutes, with interval

Bookings through Computicket

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