For the first time in almost 30 years South Africa’s two leading classical ballet companies will join forces to present one of the great ballet classics on a national tour to four SA cities in July and August.
Joburg Ballet and Cape Town City Ballet have announced that the companies will perform the legendary classic, Swan Lake in Johannesburg, Durban, Bloemfontein and Cape Town, bringing together the dancers of both companies to present the world’s most famous ballet on a grand scale seldom seen in South Africa.
The 4-city national tour opens at the Joburg Theatre on Friday 4 July with performances running until Sunday 13 July. The Johannesburg Philharmonic Orchestra will play Tchaikovsky’s iconic Swan Lake score for the Johannesburg season.
The production then transfers to The Playhouse in Durban for performances on 18, 19 and 20 July together with the KwaZulu-Natal Philharmonic Orchestra, continuing at the Sand du Plessis Theatre in Bloemfontein on 24, 25 and 26 July in partnership with the Free State Symphony Orchestra.
The Swan Lake national tour concludes with performances at the Cape Town International Convention Centre on 1, 2 and 3 August together with the Cape Town Philharmonic Orchestra.
The production of Swan Lake that the two companies will dance was originally staged in Cape Town by French dancer Attilio Labis in 1971. Acclaimed SA choreographer Veronica Paeper will be responsible for restaging the ballet for the national tour.
Close on 150 years after its first performance in Moscow in 1877, this saga of love and betrayal remains at the pinnacle of classical ballet, performed by ballet companies around the world, its leading role danced by the greatest ballerinas of every generation.
Commenting on the Swan Lake national tour, Joburg Ballet CEO Elroy Fillis-Bell said: “Joburg Ballet is thrilled to be partnering with Cape Town City Ballet for the upcoming national tour. It gives us the opportunity to present a production of one of the great classical ballets on a scale appropriate to the classical tradition. The tour also aligns with Joburg Ballet’s ongoing endeavours to build closer ties with our sister companies and dance industry stakeholders in South Africa. We look forward to sharing stages across the country with Cape Town City Ballet.”
Tracy Li, Cape Town City Ballet’s Artistic Manager, said: “Swan Lake is a breathtakingly beautiful full-length classic. Cape Town City Ballet is excited to collaborate with Joburg Ballet to create magic and share this wonderful experience with audiences on a national tour. With much anticipation, we look forward to this exciting and meaningful collaboration, a celebration of appreciation and unity within this unique and powerful artform.”
Booking for performances in all cities on the Swan Lake national tour is through Webtickets at www.webtickets.co.za
Photo Credit: Lauge Sorensen
