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The South African Ballet Theatre is performing the beloved ballet, Coppélia, at the Joburg Promusica Theatre, with a cast of 40 ballerinas.
AN intriguing romance with a blissful ending - Coppélia, the much-loved ballet, will be staged at the Joburg Promusica Theatre in Roodepoort from 12 to 28 June.
The show, comprising 40 ballerinas on stage for 15 performances, will be brought to this Roodepoort stage by the South African Ballet Theatre (SABT), the country's largest professional ballet company.
The doll everyone thinks is a real human being
Coppélia has been performed to much acclaim across the world for more than a century. It premiered in Paris, France, on 25 May 1870 - making this year its 139th birthday. "It is great for the family. It is also something that young people can relate to," said the SABT's principal director, Angela Malan.
A comedy, it tells the tale of a village toymaker who creates a doll that has everyone mystified as they think it is a real human being, a beautiful girl. In a comic way, it combines intrigue with romance.
Franz, the hero, is danced by seven dancers, including Thabani Ntuli and Angus Furnell. Coppélia is to be danced by Burnise Silvius in the first show; the role will be rotated between her, Penelope Molfessis, Lauryn Summerley and Shannon Glover.
Dr Coppelius, the doll's creator, will be danced by Jacob Mosehla on the opening night; again the role will be rotated between him, Kevin Hurter and Huberto Montero. In the story, Dr Coppelius is obsessed with turning the doll into a living being.
"I think today, with the economic recession, what makes Coppélia even more interesting is that you can sit back and enjoy it. You can laugh ... The atmosphere on stage is great and fun," said Malan.
It had been performed twice in South Africa recently, she added. "But [this] will probably be its first time in Johannesburg."
The cast features six youngsters from underprivileged backgrounds. The SABT's spokesperson, Samantha Saevitzon, said the six were part of the company's outreach programme, which trains young dancers from townships such Alexandra, Soweto and Katlehong, and Mamelodi and Eesterus in Pretoria.
"We want to make them understand what it takes to be professional dancers," Saevitzon said.
Booking is open at Computicket, on 083 915 8000 or 011 340 8000, or through the Computicket website, or through the SABT on 011 877 6898. Tickets cost R50 to R150.
The Joburg Promusica Theatre is at 100 Christiaan de Wet Road, in Roodepoort. For more information, visit the SABT website.
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