South Africa’s leading dance companies, emerging performers and international ballet stars will share the stage at the Artscape Opera House on Saturday, October 24 and Sunday, October 25 for The Legacy of Dance Gala.
Presented by the South African National Dance Trust (SANDT), the two-performance gala will celebrate South Africa’s dance heritage while showcasing the country’s contemporary and emerging talent.
Performances will be accompanied live by the Cape Town Philharmonic Orchestra, conducted by Brandon Phillips.
Dutch National Ballet joins line-up
Dutch National Ballet principal dancers Anna Ol and Jan Špunda will make a special appearance, performing a neo-classical work by incoming Dutch National Ballet artistic director Ernst Meisner, as well as an excerpt from Rudi van Dantzig’s Swan Lake.
The line-up also includes Cape Town City Ballet, Joburg Ballet, WGRUV Dance Company and Cape Ballet Africa, alongside emerging artists from Jazzart Dance Theatre, Luitingh Alexander Musical Theatre Academy, Waterfront Theatre School and a winner from the South African International Ballet Competition.
Each company and group will perform a work from its repertoire as part of the two-act programme.
Celebrating South African dance talent
The gala will also recognise South Africans who have built successful dance careers internationally. Each performance will open with a short film paying tribute to their contribution to the global dance community.
The collaboration also highlights the longstanding links between South African dancers and Dutch National Ballet. The company’s repertoire includes Onegin, created by South African-born choreographer John Cranko, while former CAPAB Ballet principal dancer Eduard Greyling performed as a soloist with Dutch National Ballet in the 1970s.
Young audiences to get a taste of dance
As part of SANDT’s focus on education and access, about 1 500 learners and teachers from historically disadvantaged communities are expected to attend the final dress rehearsal on Friday, October 23.
The initiative aims to introduce young audiences to professional dance while highlighting career opportunities in the performing arts.
Event details
The events will take place at Artscape Opera House on Saturday at 7.30 pm and Sunday at 2.30pm.
Tickets cost between R350 to R550and can be booked via Webtickets or Artscape’s box office on 0214217695.
A 10% discount is available for groups of 10 or more.