A Grand Ballet Union: South Africa’s Season of Swan Lake
For the first time in nearly three decades, South Africa’s two premier ballet companies, Joburg Ballet and Cape Town City Ballet (CTCB), join forces for an exquisite revival of Swan Lake. They are bringing an unprecedented scale of classical splendour to Johannesburg and Cape Town this July.
We attended the opening night at Joburg Theatre and were enthralled for the entire three hours the dancers graced the stage.
Tones of Tchaikovsky Ring Throughout South Africa
Eddie Clayton conducts the Johannesburg Philharmonic Orchestra for the Johannesburg leg of the tour, performing Tchaikovsky’s infamous score synonymous with Swan Lake. Subsequently, Cape Town will hear a specially assembled orchestra under the baton of conductor Brandon Phillips. Thus, the live orchestras delivered a deeply emotive experience, drenched in beauty, heartbreak, and grand theatricality.
As we heard the opening notes of Tchaikovsky, the audience hushed into a silence whilst getting lost in the haunting sounds coming from the strings of the violins and bashes of the symbols. Furthermore, the dancers and musicians worked together to deliver a spectacular performance of emotive, technical and immersive talent.
Swan Lake Performed by a Cast of Ballet Royalty
Whilst we saw Monike Cristina and Bruno Miranda in the fabled roles of Odette-Odile and Prince Siegfried on opening night in Johannesburg, the casting for the entire season reads like a dream list of local ballet royalty and rising stars. However, Monike and Bruno set the tone of South Africa’s Swan Lake production with elegance and strength, delivering a tragic yet beautiful performance to the full audience.
Nevertheless, Cape Town City Ballet’s Kirstel Paterson and Leusson Muniz will headline the Cape Town opening night whilst also bringing their regal presence to multiple Johannesburg dates. And, spectacularly, Sasha Barnes and Isabella Redman share the demanding Odette-Odile role in a rare and intriguing double casting for the Johannesburg finale — something not to be missed.
Additionally, the sinister Von Rothbart is brought to life by a rotating trio: CTCB’s Axton Green and Joburg Ballet’s Gabriel Fernandes and David Maluleka. Therefore, each promise a distinct interpretation of ballet’s most infamous villain.
The full casting and booking information is as follows:
JHB | Joburg Theatre
Friday 4 July at 19h00: Monike Cristina, Bruno Miranda, Gabriel Fernandes
Saturday 5 July at 14h00: Tammy Higgins, Revil Yon, Gabriel Fernandes
Saturday 5 July at 19h00: Kirstel Paterson, Leusson Muniz, Axton Green
Sunday 6 July at 14h00: Hannah Ward, Jerome Barnes, David Maluleka
Wednesday 9 July at 11h00: Kirstel Paterson, Leusson Muniz, Axton Green
Thursday 10 July at 11h00: Monike Cristina, Bruno Miranda, Gabriel Fernandes
Friday 11 July at 19h00: Tammy Higgins, Revil Yon, Gabriel Fernandes
Saturday 12 July at 14h00: Ryoko Yagyu, Ivan Domiciano, David Maluleka
Saturday 12 July at 19h00: Hannah Ward, Jerome Barnes, Axton Green
Sunday 13 July at 14h00: Sasha Barnes, Isabella Redman, Leusson Muniz, Axton Green
CTA | Cape Town International Convention Centre
Friday 25 July at 19h00: Kirstel Paterson, Leusson Muniz, Axton Green
Saturday 26 July at 14h00: Tammy Higgins, Revil Yon, Gabriel Fernandes
Saturday 26 July at 19h00: Hannah Ward, Jerome Barnes, Axton Green
Sunday 27 July at 14h00: Ryoko Yagyu, Ivan Domiciano, David Maluleka
Swan Lake: A Historical Piece in Ballet’s Puzzle
However, as for Swan Lake itself, each production is a respectful homage to classical tradition. Originally staged in Moscow in 1877, the story follows the tragic tale of love and deception. During the ballet, a prince falls for a princess cursed to live as a swan by day, only able to be saved by true love. However, the lovers are torn apart by the sorcery of an evil villain and a heartbreaking betrayal.
Now, thoughtfully reimagined by renowned South African choreographer Veronica Paeper, the story remains true to its roots. Therefore, the staging honours Swan Lake’s grandeur without over-modernising it, leaning into the sweeping romanticism and visual storytelling that continue to captivate global audiences, nearly 150 years after its debut.
Furthermore, Tracy Li, Cape Town City Ballet’s Artistic Manager, said: “Swan Lake is a breathtakingly beautiful full-length classic. Cape Town City Ballet is excited to collaborate with Joburg Ballet to create magic and share this wonderful experience. With much anticipation, we look forward to this exciting and meaningful collaboration, a celebration of appreciation and unity within this unique and powerful artform.”
Therefore, in a country where collaborative productions of this scale are few and far between, this staging of Swan Lake is more than just a performance: it’s a celebration of unity in artistry. So, whether you’re a ballet devotee or a newcomer to the world of pirouettes and pas de deux, this is a season not to be missed.
With a total of 14 performances between the two cities and ticket prices ranging from R125 to R800, this is a rare opportunity to witness ballet at its most opulent.
Images: Lauge Sorensen and Ryan Enslin
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