Cape Town City Ballet in 'Summer Season – Requiem & Raymonda'
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Cape Town City Ballet returns to the Artscape Theatre this week with a breathtaking re-staging of Mozart’s "Requiem", choreographed by Dane Hurst.
The production, which is one of the most famous choral works in classical music, is shrouded in mystery and intrigue.
It was Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart’s final composition before he died in 1791. The play was left unfinished and was later completed by his student, Franz Xaver Süssmayr.
This moving production, created for the Opera North and the Phoenix Dance Theatre in collaboration with the Jazzart Dance Theatre and the Cape Town Opera, blends the emotional power of Mozart’s final masterpiece.
Hurst’s reimagining of "Requiem" was conceived during the Covid-19 pandemic, a time marked by loss and reflection. The production serves as both a tribute to those who have passed and a meditation on the resilience of the human spirit.
Adding a contrasting touch of classical elegance to the programme, the company will also present selected extracts from "Raymonda", staged by former principal dancer Tracy Li.
Originally choreographed by Marius Petipa, "Raymonda" is celebrated for its regal beauty, intricate footwork, and vibrant musical score by Alexander Glazunov.
These excerpts will highlight the dancers’ technical brilliance, offering a display of classical ballet at its finest.
Where: The Artscape Theatre.
When: From Friday, March 21 to Sunday, March 23. All shows start at 7.30pm.
Cost: Tickets range between R200 to R400 and can be purchased through Webtickets.
"Thumeblina"
A tiny girl with a big adventure is coming to the Playhouse Theatre, as "Thumbelina" takes to the stage. Brought to life by the dedicated young dancers of Winelands Youth Ballet, this production promises an enchanting mix of storytelling, movement and pure theatrical magic.
Born from a magical flower, Thumbelina is no bigger than a thumb. But her peaceful life is shattered when she is kidnapped by a toad who wants her to marry his son. Escaping with the help of a kind fish and a butterfly, she soon finds herself lost in the vast world, facing challenges much bigger than her tiny frame.
Rehearsals have been in full swing, with dancers from across the Helderberg coming together for an intensive training week.
It also includes those from the Winelands Youth Ballet which has become a space where young performers can develop their talent, build their confidence and experience the thrill of being part of a full-scale production.
The organisation plays a key role in fostering collaboration between ballet teachers while keeping the magic of community theatre alive.
Guiding this spectacular performance is renowned choreographer Robin van Wyk, whose career spans prestigious companies like NAPAC, PACT and the Cape Town City Ballet. A former performer himself, best known for his four-year run as the Magical Mr Mistoffelees in "Cats".
Van Wyk has spent nearly two decades shaping youth ballet productions across South Africa and beyond. His past works include "Robin Hood", "Alice in Wonderland", "Peter Pan", and "Sleeping Beauty".
“I wanted young dancers to experience the joy and discipline of professional theatre,” says Van Wyk. “These productions teach teamwork, stage presence, and technique and many of our past dancers have gone on to professional careers.”
Where: The Playhouse Theatre.
When: From Thursday, March 20, to Saturday, March 22. Times range between 4pm and 8.30pm.
Cost: Tickets cost R200 and can be purchased through Quicket.
"Guys and Dolls"
The South African College High School (SACS) is set to stage a revival of the beloved musical "Guys and Dolls".
The Tony Award-winning show, first produced on Broadway in 1950, was last performed at SACS in 2000 making this a special 25th anniversary production.
With music and lyrics by Frank Loesser and a script by Jo Swerling and Abe Burrows, this show is a classic of musical theatre, even earning a Pulitzer Prize nomination in 1951.
The story takes audiences from the seedy streets of New York City to the glamorous nightlife of Havana, as it follows the unlikely romance between the virtuous Sarah Brown and high-stakes gambler Sky Masterson.
Meanwhile, Nathan Detroit, forever avoiding commitment, has kept his fiancée, nightclub dancer Miss Adelaide, waiting for 14 years.
Leading the cast is Thato Gillespie-Naidoo who plays Sarah Brown, opposite Daniel du Toit’s smooth-talking Sky Masterson. Mia Arendse stars as Miss Adelaide, while Justin Gibson portrays the ever-elusive Nathan Detroit.
The show is directed by Levi Alexander, who also conducts the full orchestra of SACS musicians, with choreography by Shayni Pappin-Davidson.
Where: The Hofmeyer Hall in Stellenbosch.
When: From Thursday, March 20, to Sunday, March 23. All shows start at 7pm.
Cost: Tickets cost R150 and can be purchased from Webtickets.
