Joburg Ballet has announced a new programme, Solo Flight, which will be performed at the Joburg Theatre for six performances from 12 – 15 August 2021. The programme replaces Joburg Ballet’s production of Evolve, originally scheduled for 1 – 4 July and has now been postponed to 2022.
Announcing the new programme, Joburg Ballet CEO Esther Nasser says the company has been impacted by the third wave of the pandemic gripping South Africa.
‘Joburg Ballet has experienced a number of Covid-19 cases in the last couple of weeks. We are very grateful that those who contracted Covid-19 are all in various stages of recovery. But it would have been impossible for the company to press ahead with Evolve even after we had moved the season from early July to early August, given both how physically demanding it is and the high level of interaction required between the dancers onstage. Evolve is thrilling and innovative but it has just turned out to be the wrong production for right now. We look forward to bringing it to the stage in 2022.’
Joburg Ballet CEO Esther Nasser
Solo Flight is described by Joburg Ballet artistic director Iain MacDonald as ‘aptly named and appropriately programmed to reflect our current circumstances, showcasing the dancers of Joburg Ballet in a diverse range of solo pieces and duets with none of the large onstage groups that would have made Evolve unsuitable. In its place, Solo Flight will showcase the depth of talent in Joburg Ballet in an hour-long programme tailored for the times that I know will enchant audiences.’
Solo Flight will include highlights from The Flames of Paris, Raymonda, Le Corsaire, Swan Lake, La Bayadère, Paquita, Giselle, and Don Quixote. Also in the line-up are two iconic ballet duets, Le Spectre de la Rose and Flower Festival at Genzano. Rounding out the programme is a newly choreographed solo for male dancer by Mario Gaglione and an appearance by two of ballet’s most irresistible siblings, Cinderella’s Ugly Sisters.
Solo Flight will be followed by a season of the full-length Nutcracker at the Joburg Theatre in October.
Solo Flight dates and times:
Thursday 12 August at 18:30 (please note earlier starting time)
Friday 13 August at 18:30 (please note earlier starting time)
Saturday 14 August at 15:00 (no change to starting time)
Saturday 14 August at 18:30 (please note earlier starting time)
Sunday 15 August at 11:00 (no change to starting time)
Sunday 15 August at 15:00 (no change to starting time)
Tickets: R280 (Standard Price); R210 (25% discount for Friends of the Ballet); R100 (Pensioners)
Book online at www.joburgtheatre.com.
