A love story for Valentine's: Giselle launches Joburg Ballet's 25th anniversary season.
Launching Joburg Ballet's 25th Anniversary Season, marking the silver jubilee of the company's founding in 2001, the most sublime of all romantic ballets Giselle - last staged by Joburg Ballet in 2019 - returns to the stage of the Joburg Theatre from Thursday 12 February
to Sunday 15 February.
This iconic ballet was the first to be performed by the company, then known as the South African Ballet Theatre (SABT) and has remained a mainstay of the company's repertoire ever since.
Giselle is being staged by the acclaimed former South African born ballerina, Angela Malan, now an admired Europe-based, international ballet teacher, coach and producer.
Working with Malan are Joburg Ballet's ballet mistress, Kim Vieira and assistant producers Nicole Ferreira-Dill and Karen Beukes MacDonald. Appropriately for this 25th anniversary production of Giselle, both Ferreira-Dill and Beukes MacDonald had distinguished careers as principal dancers with Joburg Ballet.
Following its Joburg Theatre run, Giselle will tour to South African State Theatre, Pretoria from 20 - 22 February.
A heartrending story of love so powerful that it reaches from beyond the grave, Giselle lays bare a tale of passion, betrayal and forgiveness with one of the greatest of all ballerina roles at its core.
Joburg Ballet dancers sharing the title role during the season are principals Tammy Higgins (role debut), Ryoko Yagyu and Monike Cristina, while in the leading male role of Albrecht, audiences will see Revil Yon with Higgins, Ivan Domiciano (role debut) with Yagyu and Bruno Miranda (role debut) with Cristina.
Gabriella Ghiaroni makes her role debut as the icy Queen of the Wilis, while Mario Gaglione makes his role debut as Hilarion. In addition to the four leading roles, the ballet also provides a showcase for dancers in supporting roles as well as a massed corps de ballet which appears in the ghostly second act to chilling effect.
Coinciding with Valentine's Day, the Giselle season has two performances on Saturday 14 February at 2pm and 7pm, making it the ideal opportunity to celebrate this ethereal ballet with your Valentine.
To make your Giselle experience even more special Joburg Ballet is hosting an Open Day at the Joburg Ballet studios on Saturday 7 February from 10am to 1pm. Meet the dancers and fellow ballet lovers, learn more about the ballet and watch the company in class and rehearsal. To book your Open Day tickets (R150 includes refreshments) call 011-877 6898 or email <mailto:[email protected]> [email protected]
Giselle booking information
Joburg Theatre, Johannesburg
Dates & Times: Thursday 12 February at 7pm, Friday 13 February at 7pm, Saturday 14 February at 2pm & 7pm, Sunday 15 February at 2pm
Ticket Prices: R250 - R670
Booking: https://www.webtickets.co.za/v2/event.aspx?itemid=1492531631
South African State Theatre, Pretoria
Dates & Times: Friday 20 February at 7pm, Saturday 21 February at 7pm, Sunday 22 February at 3pm
Ticket Prices: R220 - R380
Booking: Webtickets