Joburg Ballet brings a sparkle and crackle to mid-winter with four sleekly neo-classical ballets at Joburg Theatre from 5 to 14 July. In a glittering collection of works collectively entitled Unbound, the company showcases four riveting ballets, including two world premieres, which are set to ignite the stage with the sweep and surge of 21^st century ballet at its best.

The two world premieres in Unbound are choreographer Shannon Glover’s I Think, Therefore I Am and choreographer Kitty Phetla’s Wakanda.

For her ballet, Glover, who was recently on a three week choreographic fellowship at The Center for Ballet and the Arts at New York University, is drawing inspiration from French philosopher René Descartes.

Kitty Phetla’s Wakanda, an expanded version of the Breaking Ballet episode made for Joburg Ballet’s partnership with branding company TBWA Hunt Lascaris last year, is set in the fictional African country of Wakanda ruled by Black Panther.

Also featured in Unbound is the Johannesburg premiere of Belgian choreographer Kevin Durwael’s Transcendence, a dynamic show-stopper that emerged as the highlight of a ballet gala in Cape Town in which Joburg Ballet took part last November.

The fourth work in Unbound is Esther Nasser’s The Angel Trilogy. To music by The Rolling Stones, Chopin and Mozart, it explores ideas of personal energies with vigour and quirky humour.

Joburg Ballet offers a range of affordable ticketing options for Unbound, including half price on opening night, a budget priced morning matinee with all seats just R100 and discounts for pensioners and groups.

Unbound

Eight performances only

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

Saturday 6 July, Friday 12 July at 19:30; Saturday 6 July, Sunday 7 July, Saturday 13 July, Sunday 14 July at 15:00 – Standard Prices: R200, R275, R375, R410, R475

Wed 10 July at 11:00 – All tickets R100

Book: At Joburg Theatre Box Office; or tel. 0861 670 670;

The post Unbound appeared first on Stage and Screen.

By David Simmons

The Brothers Grimm fairy tale of the naïve princess who falls into the trap of the evil queen comes to life in the 2017 Joburg Ballet production of Snow White. If you’re waiting for the part where those 7 quirky Dwarves are mentioned, think again, as this Ballet is a total reimagining for a brand-new generating of theatre goers!

It’s so encouraging to see the Joburg Theatre once again holding the flag high for another expertly produced and cleverly choreographed offering. Having said that, one needs to applaud and tip our figurative hats to Iain MacDonald, the Artistic Director for Joburg Ballet, who not only produced and staged Snow White with Lauren Slade but choreographed the production for an all-round visually and memorable indulgence.

Iain has effortlessly created a magical wonderland on stage that intertwines storytelling through dance, with the usual plies, pointes and pirouettes carried out by an exquisite company of eloquent professionals. Not being backed by a live orchestra should not deter you from experiencing the enchantment that Snow White offers. The pre-recording of music by Russian composer Dmitri Shostakovich was flawless, and for an opening night when you expect the usual technical and staging difficulties, there were none to be seen or heard.

Our story starts in a Kingdom far far away, where we are introduced to the evil queen, played by the breath-taking Kitty Phetla, her courtiers, and not forgetting the beautiful and eloquent Snow White, lead by soloist Nicole Ferreira- Dill. The Royal Huntsman portrayed with aplomb by newly appointed Brazilian dancer Leusson Muniz, successfully ignited a rich and charming tapestry for the classic story that we have all come to love. The production is as innocent and lovely as Snow White, yet it holds a certain enchantment that will captivate you in its fairy-tale snare. The beautiful stage design by Andrew Botha breathed life into the story of good versus evil in an effective, yet understated way. The backdrop was digitally enhanced, incredibly successful for fast scene changes, and a colourful witnessing of Snow White in true 3D cinema experience!

The Ballets shining star was Phetla who although was not in every scene, her solo performances were remarkable in every sense. Ferreira-Dill’s Snow White was delicate and charming with an innocence befitting her creative influence.

In a world so politically correct MacDonald has explored a new take on Snow White. He has cleverly dished the ‘Dwarves’ and introduced us to the ‘Forest people’. Forget Doc, Grumpy, Happy, Sleepy, Dopey, Bashful and Sneezy. We are presented with a new bunch of eccentrics fittingly named Coma, Cough, Cranky, Coach, Cuddles, Casanova, and Clumsy, 7 of the most endearing, loveable and eclectic characters you’ll get to meet. You almost feel you’re in a pantomime watching these labourers, hard at work, stealing the heart of Snow White and audience members alike. Added to the mix are friends of Snow White and the forest people, dancers morphed effortlessly into their animal counterparts each movement so convincing it’s as if you’re watching the real thing.

Having never missed a Joburg Ballet production over the years I can positively say that Snow White has been one of the most endearing and beautifully put together ballets yet. It’s common knowledge that our standard of theatre and ballet in South Africa is high, and being able to support locally produced productions makes a 2-hour visit to the Joburg Theatre meaningful and incredibly heart-warming. With equal doses of drama, comedy and romance, I hope you will find joy and a touch of magic in this impressively composed ballet.

Snow White The Ballet will be running at the Joburg Theatre until 22 October 2017. Tickets are available at Webtickets or at the theatre

The post Snow White appeared first on Stage and Screen.

Four ballerinas will share the title role when Joburg Ballet’s sumptuous production of Cinderella returns to Joburg Theatre for ten performances only, from Friday 30 September to Sunday 9 October.

Heading the line-up of stars is Joburg Ballet’s prima ballerina Burnise Silvius, who will dance the lead role on opening night, partnered by Jonathan Rodrigues as her handsome prince. Soloist Kirstel Jensen, making her debut as Cinderella, will be partnered by principal dancer Michael Revie.

Principal dancer Shannon Glover and senior soloist Nicole Ferreira-Dill, also making her title role debut, will both be partnered by visiting guest artist Owen Thorne as the Prince. Thorne will be making his first professional appearance in South Africa with Joburg Ballet.

Born in New Orleans, USA, Thorne studied ballet in San Francisco, Nashville and Pennsylvania, before starting his career with Houston Ballet and later moving to Scottish Ballet. He has danced in works by many of the world’s leading choreographers, among them Balanchine, Ashton, MacMillan, Wheeldon, Forsythe, Bourne, Kylian and Van Manen.

The role of the Fairy Godmother will be danced by Nicole Ferreira-Dill, Sanmarie Kreuzhuber, Claudia Monja and Kitty Phetla, while Andrew Botha’s glittering designs frame the action.

Choreographed by Joburg Ballet’s artistic director Iain MacDonald, Cinderella waltzes across the stage with Johann Strauss’s champagne-infused melodies providing the perfect musical setting for this ultimate rags-to-riches tale.

Performance casting for the roles of Cinderella and the Prince is as follows:

Burnise Silvius, Jonathan Rodrigues:   Fri 30 Sep at 19:30, Sun 2 Oct at 15:00, Sat 8 Oct at 15:00

 Kirstel Jensen, Michael Revie:   Sat 1 Oct at 15:00, Wed 5 Oct at 11:00, Sat 8 Oct at 19:30

 Shannon Glover, Owen Thorne:  Sat 1 Oct at 19:30, Sun 9 Oct at 15:00

 Nicole Ferreira-Dill, Owen Thorne: Tue 4 Oct at 11:00, Fri 7 Oct at 19:30

CINDERELLA:

WHERE: Joburg Theatre, Braamfontein

DATES AND PRICES:

Opening Night Friday 30 September at 19:30

All seats half price: R90, R125, R170, R195, and R225

1, 2, 8, 9 October at 15:00 & 1, 7, 8 October at 19:30

Standard Prices: R180, R250, R340, R390, R450

4, 5 October at 11:00

All seats: R80

BOOK NOW: In person at Joburg Theatre Box Office or tel. 0861 670 670; online at www.webtickets.co.za

Patrons can also book and pay via the Nedbank app and at selected Pick n Pay stores. Full list at www.webtickets.co.za/pnpoutlets.aspx

Joburg Ballet thanks Kaya FM, our radio partner, for their support.

We would like to acknowledge the support of the City of Johannesburg and all our Sponsors.

Follow the company on our social media platforms; Facebook.com/joburgballet, Instagram.com/joburgballet, @JoburgBallet or online at www.joburgballet.com

The post Cinderella appeared first on Stage and Screen.