Mzansi Ballet has pleasure in presenting Bengingazi a celebration and fusion of classical ballet, pantsula, flamenco and contemporary dance, in a truly inspirational South African story.

Mzanzi Ballet has brought together some of SA’s leading dancers in classical ballet, contemporary and pantsula. Top ballet dancers, Angela Malan, Michael Revie, Angela Revie, professional pantsula dancers from Soweto, Stembiso Makhanya and Alexandra Rockstars and flamenco dancer Ndumiso Tafeni. We are indeed also delighted to announce that Aaron Smyth will be joining the cast. Mr. Smyth is the recipient of Best Performer at the recent Shanghai International Ballet Competition as well as a previous medalist of the South African International Ballet Competition, SAIBC.

Bengingazi, meaning “I did not know”, presents as an innovative, stylish and unique “Fairy Tale” between a man from Soweto, skilled in the art of pantsula dancing, who meets a classical ballerina. They have an affair and unbeknown to the man, they produce a son who is brought up in the world of classical ballet. When the Mother however, is one day introduced to the art of pantsula, she decides to introduce the son to the father, creating an amazing fusion of the two different worlds of dance.

A live singer on stage will further enhance this story line and add a cross over appeal in entertainment to a young, sexy audience.

The spectacular White Swan pas de deux, as well as solos from the Dying Swan and the Grand pas, from Don Quixote will also be danced. Choreography for Bengingazi, is led by renowned South African choreographer Adele Blank, with contributions by Mada Stembiso, Angela Revie, Dirk Badenhorst and Aaron Smyth, with music composition by Nic Paton.

Bengingazi

Pieter Toerien Theatre, Montecasino

31 October 2018 to 4 November 2018

Bookings at Computicket

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by David Simmons

In the wonderful make-believe world of Ballet, stories of love, romance and friendship come to life with the powerful and somewhat eloquent energy of dance at its core. For a sparkling October showcase, the company from Joburg Ballet brings the timeless story of The Nutcracker to the Joburg Theatre’s Nelson Mandela stage. With a slick production and choreography by Angela Malan and artistic management by Iain McDonald & Lauren Slade, the exquisite company have masterfully embodied the music of Tchaikovsky in a wonderful 2 Act pre-Christmas treat.

The Nutcracker has become synonymous with the festivities of Christmas and Holiday cheer and there is no doubt that this offering will have wide appeal to young and older ballet enthusiasts. There is something quite powerful about the fascination and charm of classical ballet, however each theatre goer will experience and take home something completely different. This appealing and magical art form, now more than ever, has a larger appeal to audiences who are interested in discovering something unique and different.

The Nutcracker has been seen throughout the ages for over 100 years and still has magically retained its values and sentimentality.  It has become an almost cult ritual that celebrates the end of a year with sparkle and smiles. Throughout the year Johannesburg audiences have been privileged to witness a number of internationally acclaimed Ballets and The Nutcracker delivers a worthy admiration

It all begins one Christmas Eve where we are invited into a house full of party goers, family and friends who decorate a beautiful and towering Christmas tree. We meet the beautiful young Clara, played by Ana Paulino, who is gifted a toy Nutcracker from her Godfather, Dr Drosselmeyer, performed by Craig Hedderwick, only to discover that her ‘gift’ turns into a handsome prince at midnight. Both Clara and her prince take a magical journey to the Kingdom of the Sweets to rejoice in a display of dancing and cheerfulness.

Along the way we get to meet the Sugar Plum Fairy, the Snow Queen and a group of deliciously eccentric characters. As any magical story goes, there is a great deal more to behold especially with a company who are all effortless in their undertaking.

Audiences continue to remain in awe of a very young and hugely talented company. How refreshing to witness passionate dancers who have the ability to hone in their craft and mould into their respective characters. Stand out performances in this production, are the wonderfully eloquent Nicole Ferreira -Dill who embodied the Snow Queen with ease and Shannon Glover who was graceful in her rendering of The Sugar Plum Fairy. Claudia Monya as always shows strength and ease in her ability as a principal dancer . Credit needs to be given to the hugely talented Armando Barros, Leusson Muniz, Revil Yon and Ruan Galdino, a quadruplet threat who individually make the art of storytelling through movement and dance all the more wonderful to watch.

Understated yet powerful sets have a captivating feel especially when we are transported to different scenic changes. This production is joined by the Johannesburg Philharmonic Orchestra and under the baton of Conductor Eddie Clayton is it wonderful to hear all the memorable music we have come to love.

Considering The Nutcrackers short run, we would suggest you clear your calendars for the week and make a date with Joburg Ballet to experience this classic ballet and beautiful story telling at its best.

The Nutcracker will be running at the Joburg Theatre until 14th of October 2018. Tickets are available at Webtickets or at the theatre.

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Joburg Ballet brings to sparkling life one of the most popular and beloved classical ballets in the world with an enchanting new production of The Nutcracker from 5 to 14 October at Joburg Theatre. With exquisite dancing, sumptuous sets and Tchaikovsky’s captivating music played live by the Johannesburg Philharmonic Orchestra, The Nutcracker is an unforgettable treat for children and adults alike.

Choreographed by Angela Malan, former senior principal dancer with Joburg Ballet, The Nutcracker will transport audiences to a fairy tale world, as Clara and the Nutcracker Prince dance through snowflakes, journey to the kingdom of sweets, encounter waltzing flowers and meet the Sugar Plum Fairy.

Beautiful new sets and lighting by designer Wilhelm Disbergen will bring this magical world to life on stage, while conductor Eddie Clayton and the full Johannesburg Philharmonic Orchestra will conjure Tchaikovsky’s shimmering score. The JPO is generously sponsored for the season by The Michel Tesson Trust.

Joburg Ballet offers its usual range of affordable ticket options for The Nutcracker, including half price on opening night, two budget-priced morning matinees with all seats just R100* and discounts for pensioners and groups.

The Nutcracker

Joburg Theatre

Friday 5 October at 19:30 – Half Price Night: R100, R138, R188, R205, R238

Saturday 6 October, Sunday 7 October, Friday 12 October, Saturday 13 October – Standard Prices: R200, R275, R375, R410, R475

Tuesday 9 October* and Wednesday 10 October – All tickets R100

Tickets available at Joburg Theatre Box Office; or tel. 0861 670 670;

*Please note the 11:00 performance on Tues 9 Oct is without the JPO; the performance will be to recorded music for DVD filming purposes.

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Presented by Dirk Badenhorst, the CEO and Founder of the biennial South African International Ballet Competition (SAIBC), in association with Artscape and supported by South African Tourism, the highly anticipated SAIBC Galas in Cape Town and Johannesburg and once-off Ballet in the Bush performance in Limpopo will showcase thrilling ballet variations, pas de deux and neo classical works. Performed by a stellar company of top professional dancers from South Africa, Russia, Spain, Mongolia, Armenia, the USA, Belarus, Cuba, Egypt and Mexico, the stars performing include ballerina Maria Rudenko (pictured) partnered by Artemiy Pyzhov, Monier Javier Jouve, Anujin Otgontugs, Hassan Eltabie, Mariam Karapetyan, Jonhal Fernandez, Lissi Baez, Dzianis Klimuk, and our own Angela Malan and Andile Ndlovu.

Audiences can look forward to spectacular pas de deux and solos from Giselle, Swan Lake (Black Swan and White Swan pas de deux), as well as Paquita and Le Corsaire. Renowned South African choreographer Adele Blank will also create a new piece that will enjoy its world premiere at Artscape on 2 September 2017.

Says Dirk Badenhorst, “I’ve always believed in the role of Arts and in particular ballet can play in bringing South Africans and the world together, and started calling it Ballet Diplomacy, but in this exciting partnership with SA Tourism, we are taking it one step further and now it also becomes Ballet Tourism, with outstanding dancers from around the world becoming Ambassadors for this beautiful country”.

The SAIBC International Ballet Gala takes place in four venues in Cape Town and Johannesburg, as follows:

Artscape Theatre on 2 September at 8pm and 3 September at 2pm and 6pm.

In Gauteng at Mountain Cambridge School in Hartebeespoort on 5 September at 7pm,

In Johannesburg at the Mosaiek Teatro in Fairland on 7 September at 8pm,

At the Legend Golf and Safari Resort in Limpopo on 9 September at 7pm .

Tickets for performances at Artscape and the Mosaiek Theatres are through Computicket and cost from R120 – R395. For tickets & workshop info in Hartebeespoort, call Dirk Badenhorst on 0833240940, and for Ballet in the Bush at Legends, email reservations@legendlodges.co.za or call 0124436700.

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