Latest news with #CapeTownCityBallet
The Citizen
11-07-2025
- Entertainment
- The Citizen
PICTURES: Swan Lake ballet takes to Joburg stage
PICTURES: Swan Lake ballet takes to Joburg stage For the first time in nearly 30 years, South Africa's two leading classical ballet companies, Joburg Ballet and Cape Town City Ballet, have joined forces to present one of the greatest ballet classics, Swan Lake. Kirstel Paterson during the performance. The Johannesburg Philharmonic Orchestra under conductor Eddie Clayton will play Tchaikovsky's majestic Swan Lake score for the Johannesburg season. Picture: Michel Bega/The Citizen Swan Lake runs in Johannesburg and Cape Town in July and August. Dancers from the Joburg Ballet and the Cape Town City Ballet perform, 3 July 2025, during their final dress rehearsal for Swan Lake at the Joburg Theater, Braamfontein. Picture: Michel Bega/The Citizen Picture: Michel Bega/The Citizen Cristina Nakos. Picture: Michel Bega/The Citizen Gabriel Fernandes. Picture: Michel Bega/The Citizen Leusson Muniz. Picture: Michel Bega/The Citizen Axton Green performs the role of the evil Von Rothbart. Picture: Michel Bega/The Citizen Picture: Michel Bega/The Citizen Picture: Michel Bega/The Citizen Dancers from the Joburg Ballet and the Cape Town City Ballet in Johannesburg. The ballet will transfer to the Cape Town International Convention Centre for four performances from 25 to 27 July with a specially assembled orchestra under the baton of conductor Brandon Phillips. Picture: Michel Bega/The Citizen The production of Swan Lake that the two companies are presenting 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 this year. Picture: Michel Bega/The Citizen Swan Lake opened at the Joburg Theatre on Friday 4 July with nine performances running through to Sunday 13 July. Picture: Michel Bega/The Citizen Kirstel Paterson performs in the rold of Odette-Odile and Leusson Muniz as Prince Siegfried, during a dress rehearsal of Swan Lake at the Joburg Theatre. Picture: Michel Bega/The Citizen Dancers from the Joburg Ballet and the Cape Town City Ballet prepare backstage. Picture: Michel Bega/The Citizen Dancer Sasha Barnes applies make-up backstage, 3 July 2025, during the final dress rehearsal for Swan Lake at the Joburg Theater, Braamfontein. For the first time in nearly 30 years, South Africa's two leading classical ballet companies, Joburg Ballet and Cape Town City Ballet, have joined forces to present one of the greatest ballet classics in Johannesburg and Cape Town in July and August. Picture: Michel Bega/The Citizen Dancer Isabella Redman prepares in the dressing rooms. Picture: Michel Bega/The Citizen Dancer Caitlin Smith applies make-up backstage. Picture: Michel Bega/The Citizen Dancers from the Joburg Ballet and the Cape Town City Ballet are seen from backstage. Picture: Michel Bega/The Citizen Kirstel Paterson and Leusson Muniz warm-up backstage. Picture: Michel Bega/The Citizen Picture: Michel Bega/The Citizen Dancers stretch and warm-up backstage at the Joburg Theatre. Picture: Michel Bega/The Citizen 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 with its leading role danced by the great ballerinas of every generation. Picture: Michel Bega/The Citizen Kirstel Paterson and Leusson Muniz perform. Picture: Michel Bega/The Citizen Kirstel Paterson. Picture: Michel Bega/The Citizen PICTURES: Joburg Ballet premieres Charlie and the Chocolate Factory
News24
05-07-2025
- Entertainment
- News24
‘Ballet saved my life after I tried to kill myself at 17'
When he was 17, David Maluleka tried to end his life. He describes that time as full of chaos – his father was in and out of hospital because of epilepsy, and when he was at home he'd abuse alcohol. This would lead to violent outbursts where he'd raise his voice and get physical with his mom and siblings. It was during this dark period that David, from Hammanskraal in Johannesburg, turned to ballet as an escape. He found solace and purpose in movement. That was nine years ago, and although he took up ballet relatively late, it came naturally and he was good at it – so good that today he is a professional ballet dancer. The 26-year-old recently moved back to Johannesburg from Cape Town to work for his dream company, Joburg Ballet. He will soon perform with both Cape Town City Ballet and Joburg Ballet in Tchaikovsky's classic, Swan Lake – his biggest performance yet – with shows from 4-13 July at Joburg Theatre and 25-27 July at the Cape Town Convention Centre. David tells YOU his story. When I was 13 my family moved to Kenilworth in Cape Town. My dad was a police officer investigating a high-profile case and for safety reasons we had to move to a new province. Growing up my dad had always suffered from epilepsy. I witnessed him having many seizures that would land him in hospital. He also suffered from mental breakdowns and would spend months in a mental institution. READ MORE| MY STORY | 'I found my purpose and a passion for cooking behind bars' Then at about 15, his health began to deteriorate significantly and he became frustrated with his condition. This led to alcohol abuse, which had a devastating snowball effect on our family. When my dad got drunk he'd use our home as a punching bag – and that came as a shock to me because in my younger years I had been raised in a loving home. As the abuse continued I began looking for an outlet. It was during this time, when I was in Grade 11 at Oaklands High School, that I met my former dance teacher, Agatha Manuel. One afternoon I decided to attend one of her classes – and I instantly fell in love with ballet. But at the same time things started to feel overwhelming and unbearable – I felt like I had no purpose and that dying would be better. It was 2015 and I was 17 when my dad had an outburst over a weekend. On the Sunday morning I woke up and took all his chronic medication. I threw it in a cereal bowl, made breakfast and ate it. A few hours later I took my bowl to the kitchen and then collapsed at the front door. I woke up three days later in ICU. READ MORE| 'It was a bloodbath': Joburg mom saves daughters from vicious dog attack While in hospital I realised how much I missed dancing. So when I was discharged and went back to school I'd spend my afternoons in ballet classes, where I was able to dance without having to think about what was happening at home. My dance teacher helped me join Dance For All studio, a non-profit organisation (NPC) that empowers disadvantaged children and youth through dance – and there I got to hone my skills. In 2016, during my matric year, my dad resigned, bought my mom a house in Paarl and my parents separated. PHOTO: Lauge Sorensen After matric I earned a tertiary scholarship to study at the Cape Academy of Performing Arts. I graduated in theatre and performing arts in 2020. A year later, I started my internship with the Cape Town City Ballet graduate programme. I got a permanent job and worked there for three years before relocating to Joburg at the beginning of this year. Looking back I realise that had it not been for dance, I don't think I would have survived that period in my life because whenever I felt overwhelmed I would just dance. I always knew dance would be my way out and that one day I'd go professional and have enough money to help my mom, Violet, take care of my younger siblings, Kristena, Daniel and Candice. Show Comments ()
eNCA
26-06-2025
- Entertainment
- eNCA
World's most famous ballet to grace SA stages
JOHANNESBURG - Joburg Ballet and Cape Town City Ballet have announced a joint production of Swan Lake. It will run in the two cities in July. Established stars and exciting newcomers are waiting in the wings to dance the leading roles in this classic. It marks the first time in almost 30 years that the two leading companies are joining forces. It will make it possible to present this ballet on a grand scale seldom seen in South Africa.
Time Out
12-06-2025
- Entertainment
- Time Out
Swan Lake
Anton Vierietin via iStock For the first time in nearly 30 years, South Africa's two premier classical ballet companies – Cape Town City Ballet and Joburg Ballet – will unite to present the timeless classic Swan Lake on tour. This landmark collaboration will take place at Cape Town's CTICC from 25 to 27 July. Each performance lasts 2 hours and 20 minutes, including an interval. Fri, 25 Jul 2025 Sat, 26 Jul 2025 Sat, 26 Jul 2025 Sun, 27 Jul 2025 By entering your email address you agree to our Terms of Use and Privacy Policy and consent to receive emails from Time Out about news, events, offers and partner promotions. 🙌 Awesome, you're subscribed! Thanks for subscribing! Look out for your first newsletter in your inbox soon! Discover Time Out original video
The Herald
02-06-2025
- Entertainment
- The Herald
‘Coppélia' ballet thrills Durban audience
The ballet Coppélia thrilled the audience at the Durban Playhouse on Saturday. The show tells a sweet story about love, fun and magic that everyone can enjoy. Presented by The Playhouse Company, the performance features the talented Cape Town City Ballet, with music by the KwaZulu-Natal Philharmonic Orchestra. Kirstél Paterson stars as the lively Swanhilda, Jordan Roelfze plays the charming Franz and Leusson Muniz is Dr Coppélius, the quirky inventor. Conductor Brandon Phillips led the orchestra, adding beautiful music and feeling to every scene. Hannah Ward appeared as Prayer. In some shows, Maryana Pobuta played Swanhilda, Axton Green was Franz, and Caitlin Smith took on Prayer.
