| Don Quixote tilts towards Jozi |
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| Written by Makoena Pabale | |
| Wednesday, 02 July 2008 | |
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Fresh from the National Arts Festival in Grahamstown, the South African Ballet Theatre is performing its two act show, Don Quixote, at its studio in Braamfontein. STUDIO performances of the ballet Don Quixote are planned for Johannesburg, giving those who are not able to get to the National Arts Festival a chance to see the show. The performances will take place at the South African Ballet Theatre’s state-of-the-art studio at the Johannesburg Civic Theatre in Braamfontein. According to Samantha Saevitzon, the ballet company’s publicity and publications officer, it is bringing the ballet to Johannesburg to accommodate those who cannot travel to Grahamstown, where the annual arts festival is taking place from 26 June to 5 July. “We are doing this to give Joburgers a taste of what they have missed at the National Arts Festival in Grahamstown, but those who want to come must book as quickly as possible as seating is very limited.” 
Burnise Silvius in the title role of Kitri in the SA BAllet Theatre's Don Quixote Photo: Susanne Holbaeck - Bergh
South African Ballet Theatre principal dancer and coach Christian Tàtchev is the producer of the show. A feisty, funny story, Don Quixote is set in sunny Spain; it features some the company’s principals, Angela Malan, Burnise Silvius, Andries Weidemann and Michael Revie. The performances feature the full two act ballet, with full costume and sets. They are a repeat of the production that is appearing on the main programme at the National Arts Festival. Don Quixote is the story of a man who is obsessed with chivalry, and believes every word written on the subject, even though many events described in books are clearly impossible. One day he decides to go out as a knight-errant in search of adventure. He changes his name from Alonso Quixano to Don Quixote de la Mancha. Spending the night at an inn, holding vigil over his armour, he gets involved in a fight with muleteers who want to take his armour out of the horse trough as they want to water their mules. The first part of the story is farcical; the second is a serious exploration of deception. Don Quixote is being performed in Johannesburg at the South African Ballet Theatre studio on Friday, 11 and Saturday, 12 July at 12pm. The studio is at the Johannesburg Civic Theatre, in Loveday Street, in Braamfontein. Tickets cost R70 each and bookings can be made through Edgar Moagi on 011 877 6898 or via email at This e-mail address is being protected from spam bots, you need JavaScript enabled to view it Seating is limited to 150 people.
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