The Joburg Ballet hosted its Ballet Highlights Gala at the Roodepoort Theatre, Florida, on 10 and 11 July.
Audiences were left impressed with the comprehensive line-up of South Africa’s leading ballet performers.
Leading the company was prima ballerina Burnise Silvius who opened the performance with Don Quixote Pas de Deux partnered by SA International Ballet Competition gold medal winner Ramiro Samón, from Cuba.
Sharing the roles with Silvius and Samón during the season were principal dancers Shannon Glover and Michael Revie.
Other classical ballets that were performed were the Pas de Deux from The Flames of Paris with Shana Dewey and Ramiro Samón, Satanella with Dayana Acuna and Javier Monier. Other classical items came from Swan Lake, La Sylphide and La Bayadère.
The gala presented something for everyone, with classical gems interspersed with two sumptuously romantic short ballets by artistic director Iain MacDonald.
Joburg Ballet CEO, Dirk Badenhorst explained that it was an honour for the Joburg Ballet to be visiting Roodepoort Theatre for the first time with the gala. “We want to thank the City of Johannesburg, The Roodepoort Theatre and CEO of Joburg City Theatre Xoliswa Nduneni-Ngema for their support as well as our donors, sponsors, and audiences,” he said.
Badenhorst concluded that the company is always proud to showcase Joburg Ballet to new audiences in new theatres.
Rounding off the programme were three items with SA music, choreography or themes: Gauteng to music by Miriam Makeba, Jantjie to music by Anton Goosen, and Fearless by young SA choreographer, John Tsunke.
Details: Roodepoort Theatre 011 674 1356.
