Diane de Beer
One of the classical favourites, Swan Lake, is Joburg Ballet’s next dance extravaganza, and they have pulled out all the stops to make this a spectacular production – from a visiting Chinese company and two guest dancers from Cuba and Washington DC, to sets that sparkle and a local cast that’s bristling on its toes.
Opening night will sprinkle some of that stardust, with a gala performance with different principle couples dancing in each act – a first in this country.
Some purists may have something to say about it, but when you’re dancing in this millennium, you’d better pull out all the stops to catch a fickle public’s attention. There’s no jumping on those points and expecting the classical ethos of ballet to draw the new crowds in. That’s nostalgia. Present the classics, everyone wants that, but add some bells and whistles, and those who want to catch the purist performance, can do that too.
That’s exactly what they’re doing, says Joburg Ballet artistic director Iain MacDonald. “We find ourselves in a funny place,” he says.
On the one hand, they’re pushing themselves as a sport to catch the eye of the unexpected audience. On the other, they have to remember why classical ballet has become exactly that. “It’s the dance and the music and the tradition that pulls them in. We don’t want to mess with that.”
What he is focused on is the character of the evil Rothbart who he is hoping to infuse with more Twilight vampire characteristics.
“It’s tough to be on stage but not dancing,” he says of the Rothbart presence. What he hopes to achieve is someone who adds to the discomfort of the audience. “I want them to shift uncomfortably in their chairs,” he says. “He has to be more sinister.” About his own intentions to play the role in the current season, he is leaning more towards a no show
“It’s tough to focus on all the other things going on and to be part of the production.”
Casting is a big thing with this particular season. Reciprocating Joburg Ballet’s visit to China for the Year of South Africa in China last year, 21 dancers from the Liaoning Ballet of China will join forces with Joburg Ballet for what is described as “the grandest production of Swan Lake yet seen in South Africa”.
They will appear alongside Joburg dancers in principal, soloist and corps de ballet roles, with two shows (Sunday April 19 at 3pm and Saturday April 25 at 7.30pm), featuring principal dancers from the Liaoning Ballet in the roles of Odette-Odile and the prince.
Supported by our Department of Arts and Culture, China’s Ministry of Culture and the Year of China in South Africa initiative, the ballet is produced and presented by the two ballet companies. Bolstering the lineup are two magnificent guest stars, one from Cuba (prima ballerina Viengsay Valdés), the other from the US (Brooklyn Mack from the Washington Ballet). And there are extra dancers appearing which brings together an impressive 80 dancers for this production.
“I won’t have that much time to work with any of them (he’s talking soloists and corps de ballet),” says MacDonald, who is excited about the different approaches from the different soloists. Some he describes as “energetic fireballs”, while at other times, he will have to coax the more fiery elements from specific dancers. “But you don’t want to tamper with the prima ballerinas too much,” he says.
He also refers to the Chinese dancers as “little machines”, simply because they dance with such technical precision.
The Liaoning Ballet of China, founded in 1980, is one of China’s major ballet companies, blending a strong classical technique and repertoire – including Swan Lake, Le Corsaire, Don Quixote, The Nutcracker, Giselle, The Sleeping Beauty and Spartacus – with ballets based on Chinese themes.
Joburg Ballet’s last tour to China is also good preparation for their two-month tour later this year to Spain where they will be criss-crossing the country. “It’s exciting,” says MacDonald, adding that it’s also tough on the company that has to adapt to becoming a touring company. But he’s thrilled that the dancers have been able to survive the tough times and have learned to go with the flow.
“We tackle problems as they arise,” says the artistic director who can’t remember when he performed his last solo dance on stage.
“It happened without much of a fanfare,” he says and feels blessed that he could move so effortlessly from the front to backstage.
Opening night (April 17) is gala performance, with different principle couples dancing in each act.
FAST FACTS
DATES: Friday April17 at 7.30pm; Saturday April 18 at 3pm and 7.30pm (half-price night); Sunday April 19 at 3pm; Tuesday April 21 at 11am; Friday April 24 at 7.30pm; Saturday April 25 at 3pm and 7.30pm; Sunday April 26 at 11am and 3pm; Tuesday April 28 at 11am; Friday May 1 at 7.30pm; Saturday May 2 at 3pm and 7.30pm; Sunday May 3 at 3pm
VENUE: Joburg Theatre, Braamfontein
STANDARD TICKETS: R100 to R400
BOOKING: Joburg Theatre / 0861 670 670 or http://www.joburgballet.com/swanlake