Despite his obviously serious (but fortunately temporary) foot injury, Khanya’s sheer joy and exuberance beamed out to every person lucky to be there that day. That was in February 2014.

But alas, without enough money to get to New York, sadly, he missed the cut-off date.

Overjoyed: Khanya Mandongana receives an Ailey School scholarship from co-director of the New York school, Melanie Person. Photo by Pat Bromilow-Downing

New opportunities, new challenges

Fast forward five months and on Wednesday evening, 25 June 2014, Khanya Mandongana will enter the stage again – sans crutches this time – to dance his way to another enormous opportunity offered to him: a scholarship to the Rambert School of Ballet and Contemporary Dance in London. And this time, he’s going to do what he does best and dance all the way to his dream…

Khanya Mandongana performs in a high quality production with the Cape Junior Ballet. Photo by Pat Bromilow-Downing

Young bright things shine In the Spotlight

The Cape Junior Ballet Company presents ‘In the Spotlight’ at the Masque Theatre in Cape Town for six performances only, from Wednesday 25 June to Saturday 28 June. And like Khanya, this production includes Cape Town’s most talented ballet stars of the future. For an example of what to expect, read to the end to find the short video clip from their live performance and interviews on the Expresso TV show.

Ranging from ages 12 to 18, these athletic young dancers will showcase a mix of classical and contemporary works from both well-known and rising South African choreographers such as Robin Van Wyk, Brigitte Reeve, Nicolette Loxton, Kirsten Isenberg, Lindy Raizenberg, Natasha Rhoda, and premieres a specially choreographed contemporary piece by Yarisha Singh.

Tasha Ainsworth performs in Cape Junior Ballet’s In the Spotlight. Photo by Pat Bromilow-Downing

The Cape Junior Ballet (CJB) is the only ballet youth development company in Cape Town, and is the first of its kind. The young dancers are selected from surrounding dance schools in the Western Cape and the dancers are trained in ballet, contemporary and a variety of training techniques such as Pilates, Horton, repertoire, pointe, Gyrotonics and yoga. They come together on a Saturday afternoon at the UCT School of Dance and train with the professionals in the field of dance.

Going into battle for ballet and fighting for funding

Yarisha Singh’s new piece, Quest, is an expansion on the dance she choreographed for Khanya’s contemporary solo at the SAIBC in February. With the inspiration drawn from the soundtrack to The Last of the Mohicans, this piece sees Khanya as the male lead, leading into battle.

Rather appropriate as he fights to win his way to London…and then New York. Remember that Alvin Ailey scholarship? Recognising the enormous costs of moving from a South African township to the streets of Manhattan, the school has graciously offered to keep the scholarship on ice until 2016.

Help Khanya Mandongana on his ‘Quest’ to reach London and maybe even New York too. Photo by Pat Bromilow-Downing

If you feel inspired to help this talented young man advance to the best dance schools in the world, you can either contact his teacher and director of CJB, Dianne Cheesman (on 021 683 3564 or dichees@telkomsa.net), with ideas or donations to help cover some of Khanya’s costs; or you can book to see him and his fellow dancers in the spotlight.

Booking details:

Dates: 25, 26, 27 and 28 June 2014 at 19:30, plus matinee performances on 27 and 28 June at 15:30.
Venue: Masque Theatre, Muizenberg, Cape Town
Tickets: R80 (or R60 for the special schools matinee on Friday 27 June) via the Masque Theatre on 021 788 1898 or bookings@masquetheatre.co.za.

Now here’s that video – filmed on set at SABC’s Expresso Show on 24 June 2014 – with a short performance and interviews with Khanya, Dianne Cheesman and Mia Labuschagne (who has also received a scholarship to dance at the Central Ballet School in London in 2015). Enjoy.

Daniel Szybkowski and Angela Hansford in Robin van Wyk’s new pas de deux ‘The Fragile Balance’. Photo by Pat Bromilow-Downing.

As their 80th anniversary celebrations continue, Cape Town City Ballet are rehearsing for their July ballet season, which includes a mix of classical, neo-classical and contemporary works in a programme called Ballet Beautiful – on at the Artscape Theatre from 4 to 12 July 2014.

The programme looks set to show off the company’s versatility with a challenging classical piece from the beautiful Paquita, to the two new and contemporary ballets by young South African choreographers, Kirsten Isenberg and Yarisha Singh, as well as a new pas de deux by CTCB’s Artistic Director, Robin van Wyk.

Laura Bosenberg and Thomas Thorne in ‘Of Gods and Men’. Photo by Pat Bromilow-Downing

Classical technique and beauty

The incomparable combination of music by Ludwig Minkus and choreography by Marius Petipa makes Paquita – particularly Paquita’s Grand Pas Classique – one of the essential classical works in the repertoire of ballet companies around the world. In Ballet Beautiful, Cape Town City Ballet will perform the much-loved divertissements from the final act.

Contemporary expression and versatility

As for the brand new ballet pieces, Cape Town City Ballet commissioned Isenberg and Singh, both UCT School of Dance graduates, to create new works for the company as part of their policy to foster and support local creative talent.

Kirsten Isenberg’s piece, called Of Gods and Men, is a neo-classical work “depicting the mythological struggle between gods and man, illustrating how their strengths and weaknesses ultimately result in their equality”. In Yarisha Singh’s contemporary style ballet, Serendipity, the piece follows less of a storyline but affords the audience more opportunity to make their own associations and discoveries.

Mark Goldberg & Frieda Mennen in Serendipity. Photo by Pat Bromilow-Downing.

CTCB’s own Robin van Wyk will reveal his newly-choreographed pas de deux called The Fragile Balance, inspired by the poem of the same name by Arokuara (read the poem here) and set to the music of Max Bruch’s famous violin concerto (scroll down for the video of a fabulous live performance – of the music, not the pas de deux).

As an extra treat, one of Cape Town City Ballet’s outreach partners, ZAMA Dance School, will perform Uvuyo (Celebrate) by the renowned South African choreographer Adele Blank as the curtain-raiser performance.

Booking Details:

Dates: Friday 4 July 2014 at 19:30;
Saturday 5 July 2014 at 14:00 and 19:30;
Sunday 6 July 2014 at 15:00;
Friday 11 July 2014 at 19:30;
Saturday 12 July 2014 at 14:00 and 19:30.
Venue: Artscape Theatre, Cape Town
Tickets: from R150 to R175 via Computicket or Artscape Dial-a-Seat on 021 421 7695.

Are you curious about that “famous” violin concerto? I was too and couldn’t help myself with a little YouTube search. This is what I found: enjoy this video of Joshua Bell performing the first movement from Max Bruch’s violin concerto no. 1 in G minor…

Revil Yon, Tusile Tenza and Milwhynne Williams perform in an excerpt from Robin van Wyk’s Italian Affair. Photo by Jacques Conradie.

Cape Town City Ballet are mixing up the festive mood with their lively and fun-filled performances of Belles & Beaux from Friday 20 December to Sunday 22 December 2013 at the Artscape Theatre in Cape Town.

In a selection of favourite scenes from across various well-loved ballets, the ballet company will show off their ballerinas and danseurs in this sparkling holiday season show.

Some of the highlights include (and see the photo gallery below for a sneak peak):

• Excerpts from Robin van Wyk’s 2011 hit ballet The Italian Affair.
• Two of Cape Town audiences’ favourite dancers Mervyn Williams and Johnny Bovang will display their comic skills in The Waltz from the one act ballet, Graduation Ball, choreographed by Russian choreographer David Lachine.
• Scenes from the second act of Veronica Paeper’s Spartacus will be included in the programme, set to the emotive music by Aram Khachaturian.
• From the classical repertoire dance lovers will be treated to scenes from Diane & Acteon, La Bayedere and Scheherazade, amongst others.
• The Competition is a new piece specially choreographed for the male dancers of the company to show off their expertise. This has been created by Mervyn Williams, who has been with Cape Town City Ballet for 27 years – first as a dancer, now as a character dancer, coordinator of the costume wardrobe and involved with CTCB’s outreach programmes.
• Another showcase for the male dancers will be The Trepak from The Nutcracker, by David Poole.
• The programme will end with delightful and humorous scenes from the third act of Orpheus in the Underworld, the ballet by Veronica Paeper. Set in Pluto’s Night Club, the Mafia and Caliope strut their stuff, while a bevy of Cape Town City Ballet’s gorgeous girls will end the programme with the Can Can.

Belles & Beaux Booking details:

Dates: 18 – 22 December 2013
Venue: Artscape Theatre, Cape Town
Tickets: from R125 to R220 and children (6 to 16 years) at R50 through Computicket.

Robin van Wyk and Annette Fransman dicsuss the finishing touches for a costume for Cape Town City Ballet’s brand new ballet, The Tin Soldier.

As the final preparations are being made for the premiere of Cape Town City Ballet’s brand new ballet, The Tin Soldier, the company is offering you a sneak peek behind the curtains to see the creative process first-hand on Friday 6 December 2013 at the Artscape Opera House at 6pm.

Hosted by the company’s Artistic Executive, Keith Mackintosh, and joined on stage by choreographer and director, Robin van Wyk, their Insight into The Tin Soldier evening will explain all the aspects of creating this new ballet, from the glittering costumes, to selecting the music and reworking the sets.

The Cape Town City Ballet dancers will also demonstrate key aspects of the choreography, particularly how the placement of the choreography transitions from the studio to the stage rehearsals.

The Tin Soldier is an all-new ballet adaptation of Hans Christian Andersen’s tale of a toy tin soldier who wins the heart of a paper ballerina. On stage from 11 to 24 December 2013 at the Artscape Opera House in Cape Town, the ballet company will be also accompanied by the Cape Philharmonic Orchestra under the baton of Allan Stephenson at selected performances. See more information here for this ballet and the two other productions in Cape Town City Ballet’s rather busy Christmas Season at Artscape.

Tickets for ‘Insight into The Tin Soldier':

Date: Friday, 6 December 2013 at 6pm
Venue: The Artscape Opera House, Cape Town
Tickets: R50 from Computicket or Artscape-dial-a-seat on 021 421 7695.
Duration: 70 minutes

Starting with The Tin Soldier from 11 to 24 December, we’ll get to unwrap a fresh new ballet creation based on Hans Christian Andersen’s magical storybook, The Steadfast Tin Soldier (Rabbit Ears Storybook Classics)

Choreographed by Cape Town City Ballet’s artistic director, Robin van Wyk, this ballet tells the story of a toy tin soldier’s love for a paper ballerina. Set to the music of Alexander Glazunov, the score will be performed by the Cape Philharmonic Orchestra for all but two performances (recorded music will be used for the shows on Friday 13 December at 11:00 and Tuesday 24 December at 14:00).

Overlapping with The Tin Soldier, from 18 to 22 December, the ballet company will present Belles and Beaux of the Ballet, which will include a selection of beautiful scenes from well-loved ballets, where Cape Town City Ballet’s star ballerinas and danseurs will perform some of the most enticing roles in the ballet repertoire.

Following this, from 31 December 2013 to 11 January 2014, comes the entertaining and popular production of Night & Day – the ballet tribute to the legendary songwriter, Cole Porter, featuring his memorable tunes and danced with a combination of ballet, jazz, tap dance and cabaret. Read more about Night & Day here, including a fun video with Robbie Williams’ take on Cole Porter too.

A bit of fun for everyone

Commenting on this bumper ballet programme, Cape Town City Ballet’s artistic executive, Keith Mackintosh says:

“I guess the idea is to create a summer festival of ballets, offering our regular audiences, together with visitors both local and international coming into Cape Town at that time of the year, the opportunity of a variety of works while at the same time demonstrating the versatility of the company and its dancers.”

Booking details:

The Tin Soldier
Dates: 11 – 24 December 2013
Venue: Artscape Theatre, Cape Town
Tickets: from R125 to R225 and children (6 to 16 years) at R50 through Computicket.

Belles and Beaux of the Ballet
Dates: 18 – 22 December 2013
Venue: Artscape Theatre, Cape Town
Tickets: from R125 to R220 and children (6 to 16 years) at R50 through Computicket.

Night & Day
Dates: 30 December 2013 – 11 January 2014
Venue: Artscape Theatre, Cape Town
Tickets: R250 or children (6 to 16 years) at R50 through Computicket.

Special Discounts:

• Block Bookings of 10 or more: R10 off ticket price.
• 2 Show Combo (The Tin Soldier and Belles and Beaux of the Ballet OR The Tin Soldier and Night & Day): 10% off ticket price.
• 3 Show Combo (The Tin Soldier, Belles and Beaux of the Ballet and Night & Day): 10% off ticket price

Cape Town City Ballet’s soldiers, Revel Yon, Ivan Boonzaaier, Alexander Vivien-Riding and Jesse Milligan. Photo by Pat Bromilow-Downing.

Cape Town City Ballet will be holding auditions for young girls and boys on Saturday 5 October 2013, where the successful applicants will take part in an exciting new ballet, The Tin Soldier, choreographed by the company’s artistic director, Robin van Wyk.

The new ballet will be presented at Artscape from 11 to 24 December 2013 and is based on the Hans Christian Andersen tale of The Steadfast Tin Soldier.

Young dancers are required for the roles of Pillows, Lambs and Little Boys. Auditions will be held for girls between the ages of 9 to 11 (Pillows), and 12 to 15 (Lambs) to fill the parts. The number will be danced en pointe. Boys between the ages of 9 and 15 are invited to audition for the parts of Little Boys.

Audition and rehearsal details:

Auditions will be held on 5 October 2013 from 11:30 – 12:30 at the UCT School of Dance Lower Campus, Woolsack Drive in Rosebank, Cape Town.

Rehearsals will then take place every Wednesday between 16:00 – 18:00, starting on Wednesday 23 October. Once a dancer has been chosen to be in the production, a more detailed schedule will be provided. Dancers will be required to be available for all rehearsals and performances.

Interested parties can request an application form from Robin van Wyk on rvw@capetowncityballet.org.za or on 021 650 2400.

Good luck and have fun!

Jesse Milligan and Tracy Li in Cape Town City Ballet’s recent production of Camille. Photo by Suzette Vorster

To celebrate Women’s Day, Cape Town City Ballet is busy preparing a special ballet performance called Belles of the Ballet, which will be presented at Artscape on 9 August 2013 for one performance only.

Paying tribute to famous female ballet characters with a special focus on women in love, the leading belles of Cape Town City Ballet will bring audiences “the flirtatious Carmen, heartbroken Camille and the daring Delilah”, amongst several other scenes from well-loved ballets.

Prima ballerina Tracy Li will again partner with Jesse Milligan in a pas de deux from their recent production of Camille, while Xola Putye will join Tracy for a glorious pas de deux from Spartacus.

Supported by the company’s cast of male dancers, this event will feature the talents of Cape Town City Ballet’s ballerinas, including Laura Bosenberg, Kim Vieira, Angela Hansford, Jane Fidler, Kirstel Jensen, Rosamund Ford, Elizabeth Nienaber, Mariette Opperman, and Claire Spector.

Programme highlights

Laura Bosenberg as Raymonda. Photo by Pat Bromilow-Downing courtesy of Cape Town City Ballet.

Cape Town’s leading female ballet choreographer, Veronica Paeper, will be honoured with extracts from her critically acclaimed Carmen, Orpheus in the Underworld, Spartacus, and Camille.

The programme will also showcase the work of other renowned South African choreographers such as David Poole, Nigel Lucas, Norman Furber and Robin van Wyk.

Following their recent run in Durban, the audience will be treated to highlights from Robin van Wyk’s Night & Day, the vibrant tribute to popular American songwriter, Cole Porter.

And for those in seek of the classical ballet repertoire, scenes from The Nutcracker, Coppelia and Raymonda will complete a beautiful afternoon at the ballet.

Booking details:

Date: 9 August 2013 at 3pm – Note that there is only one performance.
Venue: Artscape Opera House, Cape Town
Tickets: R50, R90 and R110 through Computicket or Artscape Dial-a-Seat on 021 421 7695.