After an absence of seven years, Joburg Ballet’s magnificent production of Romeo and Juliet comes to the stage of the Joburg Theatre from Friday 30 June to Sunday 9 July.
Inspired by Shakespeare’s tragic story of a passionate feud between two families in Renaissance Italy, the ballet is set to a searing, powerful score by Sergei Prokofiev with choreography based on Nicolas Beriosoff’s 1969 production.
As Juliet, Shannon Glover returns to a role she has danced previously while audiences can look forward to debuts from Nicole Ferreira-Dill and Monike Cristina. Their Romeos will be Bruno Miranda, Armando Barros and Gabriel Fernandes, all of whom are dancing this role for the first time. Due to injury and unforeseen circumstances, the originally announced Juliet of Chloé Blair and Romeos of Revil Yon and Ruan Galdino will not be seen this season. (See below for casting dates.)
Apart from the title roles, Romeo and Juliet showcases several supporting roles which this season include Gabriel Fernandes, Armando Barros and guest artist Craig Pedro as Tybalt, and Ivan Domiciano, Tumelo Lekana and Luhle Mtati as Mercutio.
Important character roles will be performed by Christopher Montague (Lord Capulet), Anya Carstens (Lady Capulet), Natasha Ireland (Juliet’s Nurse) and Mario Gaglione and Lerato Letlape (Friar Laurence).
Vuyani Dance Theatre, Jozi Dance Company, National School of the Arts and the Joburg Ballet Academy will appear with Joburg Ballet in Romeo and Juliet, giving an added grandeur and dimension to a production which calls for a large cast of dancers.
Restaging the production is Angela Malan, former ballerina and an admired coach and teacher. While with Joburg Ballet she is teaching company class, coaching the dancers for roles in Romeo and Juliet and overseeing the production of the ballet. South African-born Angela Malan enjoyed a distinguished career as a dancer with the National Ballet of Canada, PACT Ballet, The State Theatre Ballet and South African Ballet Theatre. She is now based in Milan, Italy and pursues a busy schedule as guest teacher and coach in Europe and South Africa.
Casting for the roles of Juliet and Romeo
Friday 30 June at 18h30: Shannon Glover and Bruno Miranda
Saturday 1 July at 14h00: Monike Cristina and Gabriel Fernandes
Sunday 2 July at 14h00: Shannon Glover and Bruno Miranda
Wednesday 5 July at 11h00: Monike Cristina and Gabriel Fernandes
Thursday 6 July at 11h00: Nicole Ferreira-Dill and Armando Barros
Saturday 8 July at 14h00: Nicole Ferreira-Dill and Armando Barros
Saturday 8 July at 18h30: Monike Cristina and Gabriel Fernandes
Sunday 9 July at 14h00: Shannon Glover and Bruno Miranda
Booking info:
Half Price Opening Night: R263, R225, R205, R150, R110
Standard Prices: R525, R450, R410, R300, R220
Morning Matinees: R110
Other discounts: Friends of the Ballet 35%; Pensioners 15%; Groups of 10+ 10%; Children 4-7 50%
Where: Joburg Theatre, Braamfontein (GPS -26.191316, 28.038519)
Book: At Joburg Theatre Box Office; or tel. 0861 670 670; or online at www.joburgtheatre.com.
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)
