Unique opportunity with Liaoning Ballet and Joburg Ballet’s Open Day
The Liaoning Ballet’s Yu Chuanya performing in the opening night of Joburg Ballet’s Swan Lake. Photo by Bill Zurich
“China is now producing superb classical dancers, among the best in the world,” said Joburg Ballet’s artistic director, Iain MacDonald. And he should know, considering his tour to China with the company last year, and Joburg Ballet’s collaboration with China’s Liaoning Ballet for their current season of Swan Lake. And now you’ll have a unique opportunity to see for yourself, not just by watching the dancers on the Joburg stage, but in their warm-up class too.
This Saturday, 25 April 2015, Joburg Ballet is hosting an open day at their studios, featuring the 20 Liaoning Ballet dancers as they take class with the company and warm up for their performances. The open day starts at 1pm to coincide with the dancers’ class, followed by tea from 2pm. Tickets are R120 (which includes the tea) and bookings can be made with Edgar on 011 877 6898 or edgar@joburgballet.com.
See the Liaoning Ballet’s principal dancers, Ma Ming and Yu Chuanya, in ballet class during Joburg Ballet’s Open Day on 25 April 2015. Photo by Bill Zurich
Big collaboration for Swan Lake
The combination of Joburg Ballet, the Liaoning Ballet, as well as guest dancers from Cuba and the United States plus additional performers appearing in this production brings together an impressive 80 dancers for Swan Lake.
The 20 dancers from the Liaoning Ballet will perform alongside Joburg Ballet’s dancers in principal, soloist and corps de ballet roles, with two performances during the season (Sunday 19 April at 3pm and Saturday 25 April at 7:30pm) featuring principal dancers from the Liaoning Ballet in the leading roles of Odette-Odile and the Prince. You can find the full casting details here.
The Liaoning Ballet of China was founded in 1980 and is one of China’s major ballet companies, performing ballets on Chinese themes as well as a strong classical repertoire, including Swan Lake, Le Corsaire, Don Quixote, The Nutcracker, Giselle, The Sleeping Beauty and Spartacus. The company has 64 dancers in its roster and tours extensively, with past destinations including Europe, Australia, Japan, Cuba, Russia and Canada.
Here is a video clip of the company performing a traditional Chinese folk dance en pointe.
Booking details for Open Day:
Dates: Saturday 25 April 2015 from 1pm to 2pm, followed by tea.
Venue: Joburg Ballet studios off Hoofd Street, Joburg Theatre, Braamfontein, Johannesburg
Tickets: R120 per person (includes tea), bookings via Edgar on 011 877 6898 or edgar@joburgballet.com
Booking details:
Dates: Friday 17 April – Sunday 3 May 2015.
Venue: Joburg Theatre, Braamfontein, Johannesburg
Tickets: from R100 to R400 via JoburgTheatre.com or 0861 670 670
Category: Dance News
