Carmen marks ballet company’s silver jubilee

Joburg Ballet will celebrate 25 years of artistic achievement this September with a new season of Carmen, choreographed by veteran South African choreographer Veronica Paeper.

The production runs for ten performances at the Joburg Theatre's Mandela stage from Friday 25 September to Sunday 4 October, before transferring to the South African State Theatre in Pretoria for two performances on 24 and 25 October.

Set to Georges Bizet's score, Carmen is the third production in Joburg Ballet's landmark anniversary season, following Giselle and Celestial Bodies, and precedes The Bacchae. Artistic director Dane Hurst said the production reflected the company's history of collaboration and renewal.

“As Joburg Ballet honours 25 years of artistic achievement, Carmen stands as a celebration of continuity, excellence and renewal. It celebrates dramatic storytelling, virtuosic dance and the enduring creative partnerships that have helped define Joburg Ballet's remarkable journey,” he said.

The production is led by principal dancers Revil Yon – the only South African male principal currently working in the country – and Brazilian dancer Monike Cristina, who take on the roles of Don José and Carmen respectively. Both dancers are marking a decade with the company.

Ryoko Yagyu and Ivan Domiciano will debut in the lead roles across the run, alongside the pairing of Darragh Hourrides and Bruno Miranda. A group of emerging dancers – Latoya Mokoena, Chloe Blair, Gabriella Ghiaroni, Mario Gaglione, Miles Carrott and Miguel Franco-Green – also feature in the production.

Paeper is supported in staging the work by Ballet Mistress Kim Vieira and Associate Ballet Mistress Nicole Ferreira-Dill, both of whom performed under her direction earlier in their own careers.

Joburg Ballet will host a public open day on Saturday 12 September, from 10:00 to 13:00, at its studios in Braamfontein, giving audiences a chance to watch dancers in class and rehearsal. Tickets cost R165 and are available on Quicket.

Booking information

Joburg Theatre, Johannesburg:

• Friday 25 September at 19:00 | Saturday 26 September at 14:00 | Saturday 26 September at 18:30 | Sunday 27 September at 14:00 [R260 – R800]
• Wednesday 30 September at 11:00 and Thursday 1 October at 11:00 [all seats R250]
• Friday 2 October at 19:00 | Saturday 3 October at 14:00 | Saturday 3 October at 18:30 | Sunday 4 October at 14:00 [R260 – R800] Discounts (not applicable to the two concession performances – 30 September and 1 October): Children under 7 – 50%; Friends of the Ballet – 35%; Pensioners – 15%; Group bookings 10–19 – 5%; 20 or more – 10%

South African State Theatre, Pretoria:

• Saturday 24 October at 15:00 | Sunday 25 October at 15:00 [R300 – R480] Tickets available via Webtickets.

For more on Joburg Ballet's 25th anniversary season, visit www.joburgballet.com.