Last seen on the Johannesburg stage five years ago, Don Quixote is set in the bustling Spanish seaport of Barcelona and tells the story of beautiful, audacious Kitri and her love for the dashing but poor barber, Basilio.

Her father, however, has more ambitious plans for his headstrong daughter, hoping to marry her off to a wealthy but foppish suitor. But in the end love conquers all in a cascade of classical ballet featuring celebrated showpieces, including the famous Don Quixote Pas de Deux. The Johannesburg Philharmonic Orchestra will be in the orchestra pit to bring to life one of the most sparkling music scores ever created for ballet.

For two of the performances during the 10-performance season in March, Joburg Ballet will host major international ballet stars Marianela Nuñez and Vadim Muntagirov of The Royal Ballet in the leading roles. Nuñez and Muntagirov will dance on Friday 20 March at 19:30 and Sunday 22 March at 15:00.

The other eight performances during the 10-performance season, which runs from 13 to 22 March, will feature three couples drawn from Joburg Ballet’s own leading dancers. Announced so far are the company’s two principal dancers, Shannon Glover and Claudia Monja who will be partnered by Ruan Galdino and Gabriel Fernandes respectively. The names of the third Joburg Ballet cast are still to be announced as are the specific dates for the Joburg Ballet-led performances.

Joburg Ballet offers affordable ticket options for Don Quixote, including 50%-off on Opening Night, a 30% Early Bird discount on selected performances, two budget-priced Morning Matinees with all seats just R110, and discounts for pensioners and groups.

Don Quixote

Joburg Theatre

Friday 13 March at 19:30– Half Price: R110, R152, R207, R226, R262
Saturdays 14 and 21 March at 19:30 and 15:00 and Sunday 15 March at 15:00  –

Early Bird Prices until Sunday 26 January: R154, R212, R289, R316, R366;

Standard Prices from Mon 27 Jan: R220, R303, R413, R451, R523

Tuesday 17 March & Wednesday 18 March at 11:00 – All tickets R110

Friday 20 March at 19:30 and Sunday 22 March at 15:00 –  R220, R303, R413, R451, R523
Tickets available at Joburg Theatre, or Webtickets

The post Joburg Ballet’s Don Quixote appeared first on Stage and Screen.

Last seen on the Johannesburg stage five years ago, Don Quixote is set in the bustling Spanish seaport of Barcelona and tells the story of beautiful, audacious Kitri and her love for the dashing but poor barber, Basilio.

Her father, however, has more ambitious plans for his headstrong daughter, hoping to marry her off to a wealthy but foppish suitor. But in the end love conquers all in a cascade of classical ballet featuring celebrated showpieces, including the famous Don Quixote Pas de Deux. The Johannesburg Philharmonic Orchestra will be in the orchestra pit to bring to life one of the most sparkling music scores ever created for ballet.

For two of the performances during the 10-performance season in March, Joburg Ballet will host major international ballet stars Marianela Nuñez and Vadim Muntagirov of The Royal Ballet in the leading roles. Nuñez and Muntagirov will dance on Friday 20 March at 19:30 and Sunday 22 March at 15:00.

The other eight performances during the 10-performance season, which runs from 13 to 22 March, will feature three couples drawn from Joburg Ballet’s own leading dancers. Announced so far are the company’s two principal dancers, Shannon Glover and Claudia Monja who will be partnered by Ruan Galdino and Gabriel Fernandes respectively. The names of the third Joburg Ballet cast are still to be announced as are the specific dates for the Joburg Ballet-led performances.

Joburg Ballet offers affordable ticket options for Don Quixote, including 50%-off on Opening Night, a 30% Early Bird discount on selected performances, two budget-priced Morning Matinees with all seats just R110, and discounts for pensioners and groups.

Don Quixote

Joburg Theatre

Friday 13 March at 19:30– Half Price: R110, R152, R207, R226, R262
Saturdays 14 and 21 March at 19:30 and 15:00 and Sunday 15 March at 15:00  –

Early Bird Prices until Sunday 26 January: R154, R212, R289, R316, R366;

Standard Prices from Mon 27 Jan: R220, R303, R413, R451, R523

Tuesday 17 March & Wednesday 18 March at 11:00 – All tickets R110

Friday 20 March at 19:30 and Sunday 22 March at 15:00 –  R220, R303, R413, R451, R523
Tickets available at Joburg Theatre, or Webtickets

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

The South African International Ballet Competition, funded by the National Lotteries Commission, is happy to announce the staging of the new production of The Queen Show, a celebration of ballet and dance to the timeless music of Queen. The production will be staged by Mzansi Ballet.

This new production will run at the Pieter Toerien Theatre at Montecasino from 8 to 19 January 2020. It will be the perfect family entertainment starting the year and continuing the festive spirit to enter 2020.

This fresh and new production choreographed by Angela Revie, internationally acclaimed choreographer, and her husband, Michael Revie. Mr Revie has been a star dancer in South Africa for a number of years and has danced with world ballet companies such as Zurich Ballet and Birmingham Royal Ballet. In South Africa he has been known for his technique and virtuosity. Mr Revie will also be a dancer in the show.

South African dance legend, Craig Arnolds, who has just been part of the cast of Chicago will also be dancing in The Queen Show. Alison Sischy Smith, Tsebang Sipambo, Aviwe November and Sikhumbuzo Hlahleni are also included to be dancing in the show. This beautiful cast will be completed by some of the hottest young South African ballerinas most of whom have won awards nationally and internationally, namely, Paige McElligot, Lize Mentz and Nehanda Peguillan.

World-renowned fashion designer and stylist, David Hutt, is the official costume designer for The Queen Show. With over 20 years’ experience in the world of advertising, film, and television, Hutt has worked with an array of iconic brands – from French Vogue to Lachapelle.

Tickets are available from Computicket and range from R150 to R250.

The post The Queen Show appeared first on Stage and Screen.

Cape Town City Ballet presents a sumptuous production of A Christmas Carol – The Story of Scrooge that will be the perfect holiday entertainment for the whole family! The production will be presented at Artscape Theatre from 14 to 24 December.

This special Dickens treat for all ages, is a timeless classic story of the triumph of joy and the human spirit over greed.  An enchanting dance delight, A Christmas Carol – The Story of Scrooge has been restaged by South African dance doyenne Veronica Paeper and features lighting design by Wilhem Disbergen. The production was created in 1982 and has not been seen for over 20 years.

On Christmas Eve, the elderly and unpleasant old man Ebenezer Scrooge, is paid a visit by the Ghost of his dead business partner Joseph Marley who tells him that three Spirits will call on Scrooge: The Spirit of Christmas Past, The Spirit of Christmas Present and the Spirit of Christmas Future. Marley tells Scrooge that unless he listens well and changes his miserly ways he will be forever condemned to be in chains of damnation. This is the story of that night.

The role of Ebenezer Scrooge will be played by highly regarded performer Marcel Meyer.  This is his first role in a professional ballet, since playing Doctor Coppelius in a student production of Coppélia at the Breytenbach Theatre in Pretoria. Meyer has played leading roles in several plays by Shakespeare and Tennessee Williams to acclaim on stages across South Africa, Europe and the USA.   Most recently seen in the much lauded production of The Glass Menagerie at the Artscape, his many accolades include amongst others, seven Fleur du Cap nominations for Best Costume design.

A Christmas Carol – The Story of Scrooge is one of more than 40 ballets, among them 16 full-length works, that have been choreographed by Paeper, who began choreographing in 1972.

During her performing career, Paeper rose to become a principal dancer with three South African companies: Capab Ballet, Pact Ballet and Pacofs Ballet.

Please note that performances on 24 December, includes Fairy and Prince Fancy Dress Parades after each performance.

A Christmas Carol – The Story of Scrooge

 Artscape Theatre

14 to 24 December 2019

Tickets ranging between R150 and R295.

Bookings through Computicket or at any Shoprite, Checkers outlet.

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Cape Town City Ballet presents an exciting new trilogy of works with their Spring Season, Satori, which will be performed at the Artscape Opera House from 26 October to 9 November.

Satori encapsulates innovation and enlightenment with three inspiring works, two of which are being newly staged alongside an original commissioned work for Cape Town City Ballet by celebrated UK choreographer Kenneth Tindall.

Tindall is one of Britain’s most exciting independent choreographers as well as being the Artistic Director of Digital and Choreographer in Residence at Northern Ballet. His first full length ballet Casanova received much critical acclaim and standing ovations throughout its tour of the UK, including a sell-out week at Sadler’s Wells.

Tindall’s many awards include the Production Prize at the 26th International Choreographic Competition in Hanover. His work demands much of the dancers’ physical prowess, and extends them into an artistic place at the edge of their technique.

Following the wonderful response to Serenade in their Autumn Season, Cape Town City Ballet introduces a second George Balanchine work to the repertoire with Concerto Barocco, performed to a score by Johann Sebastian Bach and this production to be staged by Diana White of the George Balanchine Trust, who has spent her lifetime studying, performing, staging and coaching Balanchine’s works.  Experience the sweeping lyrical beauty of this modern classic.

South African choreographer and local dance treasure, Michelle Reid, stages a fully expanded new work of her creation Sheeple, which is her first production created on the Company. Performed to music from a selection of modern composers, Sheeple is an arresting, swirling exploration of the power of the masses, and the pervasive inclination of society to blindly follow the pack. Reid is an award-winning seasoned and prolific choreographer who has a 30 year history of staging work in South Africa.  Her work has also been seen internationally at Festivals such as the Edinburgh Fringe Festival and the New Prague Dance Festival.

Lighting Design for SATORI is created by Wilhelm Disbergen.

Satori

Artscape Opera House

26 October to 9 November

Tickets cost from R150 to R300

Bookings can be made at Computicket or on 0861 915 8000,

The post Satori: A Trilogy Of Ballet appeared first on Stage and Screen.

Cape Town City Ballet’s wonderful Autumn/Winter Season continues with popular favourite Sleeping Beauty.  It will be performed at the Artscape Opera House from 17 to 31 August.

It is an honor for this company to be welcoming their international guest artists who will be joining us for selected performances, and they are delighted that esteemed South African ballet legend Denise Schultze Godfrey is here to stage the production.

Precious Adams of the English National Ballet and Andile Ndlovu of Washington Ballet will perform the roles of Princess Aurora and Prince Florimund on both the 17 and 18 August. South African Ndlovu was recently nominated for a Benois de la Danse Award in the category of Best Male Dancer, alongside Vadim Muntagirov, who won the Award. These awards are considered to be the ‘Oscars’ of the dance world. USA born Precious Adams was a double-prize winner at the prestigious 2014 Prix de Lausanne and was also awarded the Emerging Artist Award at the UK Critics’ Circle National Dance Awards 2018.

Vadim Muntagirov, Principal at The Royal Ballet, performs the role of Prince Florimund opposite Tatiana Melnik, Principal at the Hungarian National Ballet, as Princess Aurora on 28 and 31 August.

Set and Costume Design for Sleeping Beauty is by Peter Cazalet, and Lighting Design for the production is by Wilhelm Disbergen.

Performed to Tchaikovsky’s delightful music, Sleeping Beauty is the timeless story that follows Princess Aurora’s 100-year sleep and magical awakening. It features captivating encounters with fairies and fairytale characters such as Little Red Riding Hood, Puss in Boots and the Bluebird and Princess Florine, that will enchant young and old audience members alike.

Sleeping Beauty will be performed at the Artscape Opera House from 17 to 31 August. Tickets cost from R180 to R695 with concessions for pensioners, scholars and block bookings of ten or more.

CTCB will be accompanied by the Cape Town Philharmonic Orchestra at the 19h30 performances on Saturday 17, Friday 23, Saturday 24 and Wednesday 28 August. They will also accompany CTCB at the 15h00 performances on Sunday 18 and Saturday 31 August.

Should patrons who have booked their tickets for 28 or 31 August have any queries, they can contact Computicket directly.

Bookings can be made at Computicket on 0861 915 8000, online at www.computicket.com or at any Shoprite Checkers outlet.

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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.

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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.

Dirk Badenhorst and the South African International Ballet Competition presents Christmas in July, a celebration of beautiful Christmas ballets and music. These world class performances will take place with Scenes from the Nutcracker – the snow scene – and other major ballets, celebrating Christmas will be staged with new choreographies and beautiful Christmas songs. Christmas in July is sure to be a delight to the whole family.

These performances will be the culmination of a two-week International Ballet Intensive designed to prepare young South African ballet dancers for both the international stage and ballet competitions such as the South African International Ballet Competition. We are starting to build Team Ballet SA!

Leading these wonderful shows will be two Global Ballet Stars Adiarys Almeida and her partner Taras Domitro.

The more than 100 South African dancers from cities such as Cape Town, Bloemfontein, Pretoria, Durban and Johannesburg, who are taking part in the International Ballet Intensive 23 June to 3 July, will be joined by dancers from Germany, China and USA.

They will all be taught by a stellar faculty of Ballet Teachers from around the world, Runqiao Du – China and USA, Christoph Boehm – Germany, Taras Domitro – Cuba and USA, Elza Leimane – Latvia, Adiarys Almeida – Cuba and USA and master teacher Magaly Suarez from Cuba and the USA. All these teachers have over the past number of years been training medallists at international ballet competitions around the world. In collaboration with this phenomenal panel South African teachers Vanessa Eborall, Natasha Ireland, Angela Maree Revie, Tanya Fourie and Jayd Swart will be staging the celebratory gala event.

The dancers will be joined on stage by soloists and a choir from Johannesburg which will create the most wonderful Christmas atmosphere for a world class Christmas in winter.

Bring the whole family out to see Christmas in July, come and support South African & International dancers and musicians in this magical meeting of minds.

Christmas in July

Lyric Theatre, Gold Reef City

4 July at 20h00,

5 July at 15h00 and 20h00.

Tickets are from R150.00 to R290.00, Book Below:

Get your Tickets here:

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A combined celebration of modern classics and historical popular favourites, Cape Town City Ballet’s recently announced line up at the Artscape Opera House includes Amaranth from 22 June to 7 July and Sleeping Beauty from 17 to 31 August.

For Sleeping Beauty, CTCB will welcome leading international guest artists Vadim Muntagirov and Sarah Lamb from The Royal Ballet, Precious Adams from the English National Ballet, Andile Ndlovu from the Washington Ballet and Siphe November, hailing from the National Ballet of Canada.

The triple bill of Amaranth is an exciting programme of neo-classical and contemporary classical masterpieces with George Balanchine’s Serenade, Frank Staff ‘sTransfigured Night and Christopher L Huggins’ Enemy Behind the Gates. The Set and Costume Design for Transfigured Night will be modernised and updated by the inimitable Peter Cazalet, and Lighting Design for the production is by award-winning designer, Wilhelm Disbergen who completes the creative team.

Set to Tchaikovsky’s Serenade for Strings in C, Op. 48. with four movements; Sonatina, Waltz, Russian Dance and Elegy, neo-classical Serenade is one of Balanchine’s most beautiful ballets and a milestone in the history of dance as the first original ballet he created in America. It remains a signature work of the New York City Ballet’s repertory and will be staged for CTCB by Rebecca Hirsch.

Following significant popularity, American choreographer Christopher L Huggins returns with his acclaimed Enemy Behind the Gates,a look into the minds of incendiaries – how they live quietly and patiently in the shadows before they strike. A breathtakingly athletic fusion of contemporary ballet and modern movement that is militaristic and percussive in style.

Warming up winter is popular favourite Sleeping Beauty staged by esteemed South African ballet legend Denise Schultze Godfrey. Performed to Tchaikovsky’s delightful music, this timeless story follows Princess Aurora’s 100 year sleep and magical awakening, as well as encounters with fairies and fairy-tale characters such as Little Red Riding Hood, Puss in Boots and the Bluebird and Princess Florine, that will enchant young and old audience members alike.

Dates for performances with the international guest artists are:

17 and 18 AUGUST 2019 – Andile Ndlovu, Precious Adams, Siphe November

28 and 31 AUGUST 2019 – Vadim Muntagirov and Sarah Lamb

AMARANTH will be performed at the Artscape Opera House from 22 June until 7 July. Tickets cost from R150 to R495 with concessions for pensioners, scholars and block bookings of ten or more.

SLEEPING BEAUTY will be performed at the Artscape Opera House from 17 to 31 August. Tickets cost from R180 to R695 with concessions for pensioners, scholars and block bookings of ten or more.

CTCB will be accompanied by the Cape Town Philharmonic Orchestra at selected performances.

Bookings at Compticket.

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