After an absence of three and a half years, Giselle, the most sublime of all romantic ballets, returns to the stage of Joburg Theatre when Joburg Ballet presents a season of ten performances of the beloved classic from Friday 4 to Sunday 13 October in association with the Johannesburg Philharmonic Orchestra.

A heartrending story of love so powerful it reaches from beyond the grave, the ballet’s exquisite dancing lays bare a tale of passion, betrayal and forgiveness with one of the greatest of all ballerina roles at its centre.

Joburg Ballet dancers sharing the title role during the season of Giselle are Shannon Glover, Claudia Monja and Monike Cristina who will be joined by French guest artist Anaïs Chalendard who made an acclaimed SA debut earlier this year in Joburg Ballet’s The Sleeping Beauty.

In the leading role of Albrecht, audiences will see Revil Yon (with Glover), Leusson Muniz (with both Monja and Chalendard) and Ruan Galdino (with Cristina).

In addition to the two leading roles of Giselle and Albrecht, the ballet also provides a showcase for dancers in other roles including a massed corps de ballet which appears in the ghostly second act to chilling effect.

Giselle will be staged by Joburg Ballet’s artistic director Iain MacDonald and ballet mistress Lauren Slade while Australian-based SA ballet luminary, former prima ballerina and artistic director Dawn Weller will rehearse and coach the dancers in the leading roles.

Giselle opens at Joburg Theatre on Friday 4 October for ten performances, ending on Sunday 13 October. The Johannesburg Philharmonic Orchestra will play for all performances except Wednesday 9 October at 11:00, which will be to a recorded score to facilitate filming of Giselle for release on DVD.

Joburg Ballet offers its usual range of affordable ticket options for Giselle, including a 30%-off Early Bird Special (valid until 4 August), 50%-off on Opening Night, two budget-priced Morning Matinees with all seats just R110, and discounts for pensioners and groups.

Joburg Ballet’s Giselle

Joburg Theatre, Braamfontein

Friday 4 Oct at 19:30 – Half Price: R110, R152, R207, R226, R262

Saturday 5 October, Friday 11 October, Saturday 12 October at 19:30;

Saturday 5 October, Sunday 6 October, Saturday 12 October, Sunday 13 October at 15:00

Standard Prices: R220, R303, R413, R451, R523

Tuesday 8 October & Wednesday 9 October at 11:00

All tickets R110 (Wed 9 Oct at 11:00 to recorded music)

Tickets At Joburg Theatre Box Office; or tel. 0861 670 670.

The post Joburg Ballet's Giselle appeared first on Stage and Screen.

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.

The post Review: The Nutcracker appeared first on Stage and Screen.

Casting announced for leading roles

Joburg Ballet opens a bumper 2018 year in sizzling style when the company brings South African choreographer Veronica Paeper’s production of Carmen to Joburg Theatre for ten performances from 6 to 15 April. Joburg Ballet will perform to live orchestral accompaniment for the first time in many years, when the launched Johannesburg Philharmonic Orchestra (JPO) takes its place in the orchestra pit, bringing to life composer Georges Bizet’s famous music.

Last seen on the Johannesburg stage eight years ago, Paeper’s acclaimed full-length ballet returns to showcase a new generation of Joburg Ballet stars in the roles of Carmen and Don José in this searing story of passion and betrayal under the Spanish sun.

Of the season’s four ballerinas sharing the title role, Shannon Glover and Sanmarie Kreuzhuber will return to a role they first danced several years ago while Claudia Monja and Monike Cristina are making their debuts as Carmen.  Carmen’s lover Don Jose will be danced by Ruan Galdino (with Glover), Leusson Muniz (with both Monja and Kreuzhuber) and Revil Yon (with Cristina). *Full performance casting below.

Joburg Ballet’s CEO Esther Nasser welcomes the company’s association with the JPO adding, “No matter how fine a ballet company is, dancing to a live orchestra brings a dynamic brilliance and dramatic force to performances. Joburg Ballet is thrilled to be working with the JPO in an association that brings two of Johannesburg’s most applauded artistic companies together.”

Speaking on behalf of the orchestra, JPO artistic director and CEO Bongani Tembe said, “The Johannesburg Philharmonic Orchestra is excited by the new collaboration with Joburg Ballet. Both organizations share the mission of enriching the local community by offering high calibre productions, implementing education initiatives and offering performance opportunities to a wide range of artists.”

Joburg Ballet offers a range of affordable ticketing options for Carmen, including half price on opening night, the popular Early Bird Special offering 30% off all full price seats booked before 11 February, two budget priced morning matinees with all seats just R100 and discounts for pensioners and groups.

Carmen: Performance Casting (Subject to change)

Friday 6 April at 19:30: Claudia Monja and Leusson Muniz

Saturday 7 April at 15:00: Shannon Glover and Ruan Galdino

Saturday 7 April at 19:30: Monike Cristina and Revil Yon

Sunday 8 April at 15:00: Claudia Monja and Leusson Muniz

Tuesday 10 April at 11:00: Monike Cristina and Revil Yon

Wednesday 11 April at 11:00: Sanmarie Kreuzhuber and Leusson Muniz

Friday 13 April at 19:30: Claudia Monja and Leusson Muniz

Saturday 14 April at 15:00: Shannon Glover and Ruan Galdino

Saturday 14 April at 19:30: Sanmarie Kreuzhuber and Leusson Muniz

Sunday 15 April at 15:00: Shannon Glover and Ruan Galdino

Carmen:

Joburg Theatre

Dates, Times, Prices:

Friday 6 April at 19:30 – Half Price: R100, R138, R188, R205, R238

Saturday 7 April, Friday 13 April, Saturday 14 April at 19:30

Saturday 7 April, Sunday 8 April, Saturday 14 April, Sunday 15 April at  15:00

– Early Bird 30% off until 11 February: R140, R193, R263, R287, R333;

Standard Prices from 12 February: R200, R275, R375, R410, R475

Tuesday 10 April & Wednesday 11 April at 11:00 – All tickets R100

Book now at Joburg Theatre Box Office; or tel. 0861 670 670; or online at www.joburgtheatre.com or www.webtickets.co.za

Images by Lauge Sorensen

The post Joburg Ballet's Carmen appeared first on Stage and Screen.