Having celebrated its first birthday since the amalgamation of The South African Ballet Theatre and Mzansi Productions, the classical ballet and contemporary dance company is now preparing for its season of Cinderella. Choreographed by Iain MacDonald to Waltz King Johann Strauss’ champagne-infused melodies, patrons are sure to be delighted by the seamless grace and strength portrayed on stage.
Resident at the plush Joburg Theatre, the company consists of permanent and ad-hoc dancers skilled in both classical ballet and contemporary dance. The training facility for dancers is headed on a rotating basis by visiting ballet teachers from the National Ballet School of Cuba.
An extensive repertoire includes works by Petipa, Ivanov, Bovim, Maqoma, Paeper, Balanchine, Saint-Léon, Wubbe as well as homegrown choreographers Kitty Phetla, MacDonald and Shannon Glover, keeps dancers on their toes, literally. An active performance schedule is maintained with two major seasons at the Joburg Theatre as well as promotional events, corporate entertainment, local and international tours.
A recent R8 million injection by the City of Johannesburg gave the company a lifeline. “I’m delighted to bring Joburg’s support to this company,” said Mayor Parks Tau at the time. He was accompanied by MMC Chris Vondo who said, “We recognize the large steps the ballet company has taken in recent years towards transformation as a performing arts company in South Africa and also its successful outreach programmes for the youngsters of our city.”
The two prerequisites of the funding grant are that the ballet company name is changed to Joburg Ballet, to highlight and emphasise the partnership between the City of Joburg and the company; and that two representatives of Joburg City Theatres are to be invited onto Joburg Ballet’s board of directors.
“The funding will enable the ballet company to more effectively address transformation, including the diversifying of the company’s demographic profile, and to work towards greater social cohesion,” said a grateful ballet company CEO Dirk Badenhorst.
Details: Cinderella runs from 13 – 19 September. Bookings through 0861-670-670, Edgar Moagi 011-877-6898, www.joburgtheatre.com or www.samzansiballet.com
