Great ballet classic back on the Johannesburg stage
Rehearsals are underway in the Joburg Ballet studios as the company prepares to brighten mid-winter with a new staging of The Sleeping Beauty, one of the most iconic of the great ballet classics.
Produced by Italy-based ballet mistress Sophie Sarrote, The Sleeping Beauty will be presented at the Joburg Theatre from 28 June to 7 July with Tchaikovsky’s magnificent music played live by the Johannesburg Philharmonic Orchestra at all but two of the season’s nine performances.
In a tale of evil defeated, a malevolent spell causes a princess to prick her finger and fall asleep for a hundred years. But in classic fairytale tradition, the kiss of a handsome prince ensures a happy-ever-after ending to this story of love triumphant.
Five impressive casts drawn from Joburg Ballet’s leading dancers and including three guest artists will alternate in the leading roles. Headlining the opening night on Friday 28 June at 7pm are Monike Cristina and Paris Opera Ballet star Guillaume Diop in his SA debut. Cristina and Diop dance a second performance on Sunday 30 June at 2pm.
Nicole Ferreira-Dill and guest artist Nelson Peña Nuñez dance on Saturday 29 June at 2pm and Friday 5 July at 7pm. Cuban-born Peña Nuñez is a principal dancers with the National Opera and Ballet Theatre of Kazakhstan.
Tammy Higgins and Revil Yon perform on Wednesday 3 July at 11am and Saturday 6 July at 2pm, and Shannon Glover and Ruan Galdino on Thursday 4 July at 11am and Sunday 7 July at 2pm.
The fifth cast showcases Ryoko Yagyu, guest artist from Ballet Ireland, dancing opposite Ivan Domiciano on Saturday 6 July at 7pm. Yagyu will also be seen in the celebrated Blue Bird Pas de Deux during the season.
Joburg Ballet’s 2024 production of The Sleeping Beauty is being staged by ballet mistress and producer Sophie Sarrote. For many years a dancer with the famed La Scala Ballet in Milan, Sarrote brings extensive experience, expertise and artistry to the production.
Joburg Ballet is delighted to be joining forces with the Johannesburg Philharmonic Orchestra under the baton of conductor Chad Hendricks. The orchestra will play Tchaikovsky’s sweeping romantic score at all performances except 4 and 5 July at 11am.
Joburg Ballet is grateful to Air France, the French Institute, the Embassy of France and the Michel Tesson Trust for generously supporting The Sleeping Beauty.
Joburg Ballet offers a range of affordable ticket options for The Sleeping Beauty, including half price on opening night, two morning matinees at just R110 and discounts for pensioners, groups and the Friends of the Ballet.
Booking Information
Dates, Times, Prices:
Fri 28 June at 7pm (Half price opening night): R290, R248, R225, R165, R120
Sat 29 June, Sun 30 June, Sat 6 July, Sun 7 July at 2pm: R580, R495, R450, R330, R240
Fri 5 July, Sat 6 July at 7pm: R580, R495, R450, R330, R240
Wed 3 July, Thu 4 July at 11am: R110
Where: Joburg Theatre, Braamfontein (GPS -26.191316, 28.038519)
Book now: At Joburg Theatre Box Office; or tel. 0861 670 670; or online at www.joburgtheatre.com or www.webtickets.co.za
Patrons can also book and pay via the Nedbank app and at selected Pick n Pay stores (full list at www.webtickets.co.za/pnpoutlets.aspx)