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« Repertory Archives
21 and 22 August 2004
Artscape Opera House
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Cape Town City Ballet all geared up to present star -studded galas at Artscape Opera House.
On the 21st and 22nd August, 2004, Cape Town City Ballet will present two show-stopping performances at the Artscape Opera House. The evening will feature highlights from the company's repertoire over the past seventy years and will allow audiences to relive their favourite ballets in the company of the artists of the Cape Town City Ballet and well known guest stars Thomas Edur, Agnes Oaks from the English National Ballet and Desire Samaai and Jonathan Ollivier from Northern Ballet Theatre in the UK.
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Earlier this year, Thomas and Agnes were awarded the Sir Lawrence Olivier Award for Outstanding Achievement in Dance.
Their visit this year will mark their fourth guest appearance with the Cape Town City Ballet. For Jonathan and Desire their participation in the 70th Anniversary Galas has special meaning considering that their partnership began in Cape Town four years ago. Desire, originally from Cape Town, made her debut opposite Andrew Warth, former dancer and now publicist to the Cape Town City Ballet in David Poole's Copelia at the Artscape Opera House in June 1993. Both Desire and Jonathon have recently been nominated for the prestigious National Dance Awards in London. Desire continues to command the admiration of audiences and critics alike whilst Jonathan is now reconised as one of Britian's leading male dancers.
'The participation of such acclaimed dancers once again affirms Cape Town City Ballet's reputation as South Africa's premier ballet company' says Executive Director to the company, Elizabeth Triegaardt 'Not only are Cape Town audiences being treated to our guest's but so to, are we. Their presence strengthens us and raises our standards to ever higher levels'.
Thomas and Agnes will perform the bravura Don Quixote pas de deux as well as, Impromptu a pas de deux written especially for them by the English choreographer, Derek Dean.
Desire & Jonathan will also dance the pas de deux from Romeo & Juliette as well as a second pas de deux from A Midsummer Night's Dream.
Also performing for the first time with the company on stage are their Hout Bay based outreach group Jikeleza.
Jikeleza work with the impoverished communities of Hout Bay and the rehabilitation of the street children in Green Point. Partly funded by the Cape Town City Ballet their aim is to provide a safe and nuturing environment in which they can learn to express themselves through dance and other art forms. Programme Director Edmund Thwaites says 'I believe the appreciation of the arts is an important aspect of life. My work with these children gives them the opportunity to develope better social skills and broaden their horizons'. |
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