Quick helpQuick links 
Contact usContact us 
Site mapSite map 
Advanced searchSite map 
MapsMaps 
Events calendarCalendar 
NewslettersNewsletters 
Traffic alertsTraffic 
DisclaimerDisclaimer 
city of johannesburg > Arts and culture
 
other city news
Nutcracker adapted to local clime Print E-mail
Written by Lesego Madumo   
Tuesday, 11 November 2008
Mari-Louise Basson and Marc Goldberg rehearse the Waltz of the Flowers, set in the Kalahari
(Photo: Susanne Holbaek)

Christmas would not be Christmas without a production of The Nutcracker. This year, a South African twist has been given to the well-loved ballet.

A LOCAL adaptation of The Nutcracker premieres at Gold Reef City's Lyric Theatre next week, with a promise to be eclectic and vibrant, a magical treat for audiences of all ages.

It will run from 20 to 30 November. Originally written in 1816 by Ernst Theodor Amadeus Hoffmann, Dirk Badenhorst, the director of Mzansi Productions - the show's producers - notes that the South African adaptation has a different storyline, one pertinent to the country.

"This Nutcracker is different in that it has a completely different storyline which reflects on South Africa, and we have also used local artists," he confirms.

Yarisha Singh rehearses the Spanish divertissement (Photo: Susanne Holbaek)
Yarisha Singh rehearses the Spanish divertissement (Photo: Susanne Holbaek)

The well-loved ballet has been choreographed by South African choreographers Adèle Blank and David Gouldie.

Traditionally a Christmas ballet, the original is set in the cold winter of the festive season in the northern hemisphere. Badenhorst explains that his production is set in summer. "We have chosen a summery setting, where instead of the snow, we journey to the land of sand."

While the ballet retains its traditional characters, it has a South African feel to it, delivering a familiar festive cheer that audiences anticipate from the production.

The dancers are children from the Ballet and Dance Academy and the Roodepoort Youth Ballet. "[Our] dancers are skilled in all the important dance genres and [are] able to perform in classical, neo classical and modern works," he notes.

The Nutcracker is the story of Clara, who dreams of the Nutcracker Prince and his ferocious battle against the Rat King. "With a classic feel-good story that appeals to young and old alike, this production promises to be a magical experience for the festive season," Badenhorst notes.

"Audiences will enjoy the South African twist to the Rat King and will have to see it for themselves at a performance." He says the audience will be drawn into the mystery and adventure as the Prince and Clara embark on a magical journey to an exotic destination.

Melodies used in the ballet will be recognised by the audience, he says, because of their frequent use in television and film advertisements.

The production company is already swamped with requests from Holland to come play, Badenhorst says.

The "exquisite" stage has been designed by Andrew Botha, and is a Christmas spectacular. It will tickle the fancies of every family member and add to the illusion and magic associated with The Nutcracker, says Badenhorst.

The original fairytale, The Nutcracker and the King of Mice, was written and published by Hoffman, a German caricaturist, composer, jurist and writer. In his story, Hoffmann tells the story of a young girl, Clara, who is given a nutcracker as a Christmas present. She grows fond of the gift which later comes alive and takes her to a magical empire.

The story was adapted into a ballet, The Nutcracker, in 1892 by Russian composer Pyotr Ily Ilyich Tchaikovsky and choreographers Marius Petipa and Lev Ivanov, and has since become popular around the world.

The Mzanzi production debuts at the Lyric Theatre, Gold Reef City on Tuesday, 20 November, and will run for a week-and-a-half until Sunday, 30 November. Weekday performances are at 8pm; weekend matinees are scheduled for 3pm.

Show tickets range in price from R69 to R199 per person and school and university bookings can be arranged in the morning or afternoon.

Booking is at Computicket outlets, on 011 340 8000, or through the Computicket website. There are discounts of 10 percent on block-bookings for groups of 10 or more people, and all tickets to the opening night are half-price.

For further information, telephone Leon Bezuidenhout on 012 665 0293, or 082 459 6748; or fax on 086 557 9218 or email him at This e-mail address is being protected from spam bots, you need JavaScript enabled to view it .

Related stories:

 
N3 south to close at Linksfield
THE busy N3 South will be partially closed around the Linksfield Road interchange this weekend for construction.
Soweto kids learn new form of rugby
VISITING British rugby players are among those teaching a new form of rugby to six primary schools in Soweto. The outreach programme ends in a tournament on Saturday.
JRA budget targets maintenance
WITH more than R500-million set aside for maintenance in its new budget, the roads agency is focusing on investing for the city.
New sponsor at helm of Cycle Challenge
MOMENTUM is the new name behind the 94.7 Cycle Challenge, but it will still be one the biggest and best days in Joburg's calendar.
Orange Grove gets new water meters
MILLIONS of rand is being spent on replacing old water meters in Orange Grove, which will lead to fewer leaks and so lower costs.

Visit our news archive

Search Joburg.org.za

Search news stories from 2001 - November 2007 using our archive search facility.

Pulse of the city

Joburg is preparing for the Discovery 702 Walk the Talk. How are you getting ready?
 

Permission to use material
Publishers may use material from this website. Please see our conditions of use.