Fire and Ice for Joburg Ballet this winter

Fire and Ice, a glittering double bill from Joburg Ballet, takes place from 29 June at Joburg Theatre for eight performances only. Accessible ticket options include opening night at 50% off and free student seats.

From the diamond brilliance of classical ballet to the sweep and surge of contemporary dance, Joburg Ballet returns for its second 2018 season at Joburg Theatre with Fire and Ice, a glittering double bill, for eight performances from 29 June to 8 July. Fire and Ice showcases the company’s range and expertise in two contrasting ballets, the classical Raymonda Act 3, and a world premiere by internationally acclaimed French- Algerian choreographer Redha.

Never before performed in Johannesburg, Raymonda Act 3 will premiere in a staging by Brazilian producer Guivalde de Almeida. Drawn from a full-length nineteenth-century ballet, with music by Russian composer Alexander Glazunov, Raymonda Act 3 captures some of the finest classical choreography ever created in a single glittering act.

Joburg Ballet members of the company in Fire & Ice PHOTOS Lauge Sorensen

‘When I saw Guivalde’s work in Brazil last year, I was so impressed that I immediately asked him to share his expertise with us,’ says Joburg Ballet Artistic Director, Iain MacDonald. ‘His staging of the technically challenging but breathtakingly beautiful third act from Raymonda will give Joburg audiences the opportunity to see this great classical jewel for the first time.’

The second part of this dynamic double bill will be a world premiere commissioned by Joburg Ballet from celebrated Paris-based choreographer Redha. CEO Esther Nasser, who has previously worked with him, sums him up, ‘Always known simply as Redha – powerful, wildly imaginative, and poignantly beautiful. That is Redha!’

As part of its ongoing commitment to audience development, the company offers a range of affordable tickets throughout the season, including half price on opening night and a budget-priced morning matinee where all seats are just R100. This season also sees the return of free student seats for tertiary level learners at every performance.

Joburg Ballet members of the company in Fire & Ice PHOTOS Lauge Sorensen

‘In our continuing drive to make dance accessible to everyone, Joburg Ballet is again offering free tickets throughout the Fire and Ice season to everyone studying at tertiary level,’ Nasser explains. ‘Students can simply present a valid student card in person at the box office before any performance to claim two free, best-available tickets.’

This season will also see six recently promoted dancers on stage at Joburg Theatre. Leading the list are ballerinas Nicole Ferreira-Dill and Claudia Monja, who have been promoted to the rank of principal dancer. Both long-serving members of Joburg Ballet, Ferreira-Dill and Monja have distinguished themselves in leading roles in a range of ballets including Swan Lake, Giselle, Cinderella, La Traviata, Snow White and Big City, Big Dreams.

Promoted from soloist to senior soloist are Monike Cristina and Sanmarie Kreuzhuber, while Ruan Galdino and Leusson Muniz move from senior corps de ballet to soloist rank.

Tickets for Fire and Ice are available in person at Joburg Theatre box office, phone 0861 670 670 or visit www.webtickets.co.za.

Keep up to date with the company on social media @JoburgBallet or online at www.joburgballet.com. CF