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who transforms a beautiful maiden into a swan. Performed to the music of Tchaikovsky, this is a production that epitomises the seamless integration of the beauty and grace of classical ballet with the athleticism required of todayÕs dancer.
The version of Swan Lake coming to the Artscape Opera House in June was first mounted for the CAPAB Ballet Company by Attilio Labis in 1971. Labis had danced as a guest in Russia in several different productions and it was from these that he chose the elements to make it one of the most eclectic in the world. It will be reproduced for the sixteenth time by Elizabeth Triegaardt, assisted by the CTCB artistic staff, who include Keith Mackintosh, Tracy Li, Johnny Bovang and Robin van Wyk, with Eduard Greyling performing the role of the Tutor, a role originally taken by Owen Murray, and Janet Lindup acting as the Queen Mother.
In the first production, Labis partnered his wife, Christiane Vlassi, and Phyllis Spira, with Elizabeth Triegaardt and Eduard Greyling as the third couple. In 1973, Labis partnered the legendary Margot Fonteyn in Cape Town and on tour to Johannesburg and the Free State. Another couple who performed in this season was Linda Smit and Keith Mackintosh.
At that time, the Nico Malan Opera House was not yet open to all races, and Fonteyn insisted on doing some performances in the 3 Arts and Luxorama Theatres in Plumstead, to enable as many people as possible to see the ballet.
The role of Odette/Odille has been interpreted by many local ballerinas, among them Nicolette Loxton, Claire Shepherd-Wilson, Janet Lindup, Carol Kinsey, Leanne Voysey, Marianne Bauer and Tracy Li, while Prince Siegfried has been danced by Johan Jooste, Hisham Omardien, Izak Botha, Philip Boyd, Johnny Bovang, Daniel Rajna and others.
The role of the evil magician, Von Rothbart, has had a number of prestigious interpreters, starting with the late John Simons and in recent productions featuring Mervyn Williams and.Coert Grobbelaar
In this reproduction, dancers from the Cape Junior Ballet and the UCT School of Dance will supplement the Cape Town City Ballet in the corps of swans, while dancers from the CTCB’s outreach programme, Jikeleza, will dance the Polonaise in the first act.
The dual role of Odette/Odille will be danced by the CTCB’s principal ballerina, Megan Swart, partnered by Xola Putye, while Laura Bosenberg will dance Odette to Janine Laidlow’s Odille, supported by Thomas Thorne as Siegfried.
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The season of 11 performances starts with a preview on Friday, 12th June and runs until Sun, 21st June, with ticket prices between R70 and R150.
Booking opens on May 11th at Computicket and ARTSCAPE Dial-a-Seat on 021 421 7695.
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