Carmen brings anniversary drama to Pretoria

Joburg Ballet takes its anniversary production of “Carmen” to Pretoria this weekend, with two performances at the South African State Theatre showcasing new partnerships in the leading roles.

Veronica Paeper’s interpretation, set to Georges Bizet’s music, follows a 10-performance Johannesburg season that ran from 25 September to 4 October.

Savannah Jacobsen and Mario Gaglione will make their debuts as Carmen and Don José on Saturday, 24 October. Sunday’s performance pairs Latoya Mokoena, who debuted in the title role during the Johannesburg run, with Miles Carrott.

The production forms part of Joburg Ballet’s 25th-anniversary programme.

Artistic director Dane Hurst said “Carmen” had been selected to showcase the company’s dramatic storytelling and technical range, complementing the contrasting styles of Giselle, Celestial Bodies and “The Bacchae.”

He described the anniversary season as an opportunity to celebrate established artistic partnerships while introducing dancers who would help shape the company’s future.

The Johannesburg performances featured several leading partnerships, including Monike Cristina and Revil Yon, and Ryoko Yagyu and Ivan Domiciano.

Paeper is supported in staging the production by ballet mistress Kim Vieira and associate ballet mistress Nicole Ferreira-Dill. Both performed under her direction during their own dancing careers, bringing that experience to the preparation of the current cast.

Both Pretoria performances begin at 3pm, on Saturday, 24 October, and Sunday, 25 October. Tickets cost R300 to R480 and are available through Webtickets.

Sources: Joburg Ballet publicity material supplied by Artslink; Webtickets, State Theatre booking listing, accessed 21 October.