"As South Africa celebrates its 20th year of constitutional democracy and the National Arts Festival celebrates the 40th year since its founding, we have every reason to present a bumper programme this year," says Mahomed. "Several of our international partners and embassies want to be part of a bigger celebration. Through support from the Embassy of Switzerland in South Africa we have been able to invite the Grand Théâtre de Genève to this year's festival.
"The company has an international track record of excellence and its production, Le Songe d'une nuit d'été (A Midsummer Night's Dream), is spectacular. We are confident that our dance audiences will love it.
"Choreographer Michel Kelemis is known in South Africa for his work with local contemporary dancers and choreographers. There is an enormous amount of interest from the dance sector to see this production too."
The Geneva Ballet will visit Cape Town first, however, to perform a double bill from 8 to 10 July thanks to Cape Town City Ballet's fortuitous offering of these theatre dates within its forthcoming season, Ballet Beautiful, at the Artscape Theatre.
The Swiss company's repertoire includes classic ballet, postmodern dance and contemporary dance and it will present two of its contrasting works, Lux and Glory, in the Mother City. Cohen says they're like a visiting card for the company. They complement each other because they're so different yet, on a deeper level, they're both speaking of spirituality - Ken Ossola's Lux is the more conservative while Andonis Foniadakis's Glory is celebratory. The use of sound and light in the latter gives it a rock concert atmosphere, which holds great appeal for young audiences.
Danced to Gabriel Fauré's Requiem, the Lux choreography uses sculpted shadow play to enhance the delicacy of the body while Glory is a relentless juxtaposition of "fluidity and tension, expansive expression and introverted reserve", performed to excerpts from George Frideric Handel's powerful music and enhanced by Julien Tarride's electronically modified musical transitions.
"As South African performing arts companies grapple with how to diversify their demographics, it will be an interesting lesson to look at the model of how the Geneva Ballet has attracted dancers from so many different nationalities, including the South African, Angela Rebelo," says Mahomed.
Cohen's selection process goes beyond technique. He explains that there are so many technically accomplished dancers out there (he can receive 500 applications for two posts), that he looks to personality and cultural diversity to create his shortlist. "It's more than work; it's a commitment," he says. "They need to be able to work as a team." With 14 different nationalities among 22 dancers, he believes it's the mix of all these characters that makes the quality of the show. To that end, he will only accept new dancers who can add value to the company, and vice versa.
In line with the Geneva Ballet's wish to reach out to the many different local communities, Artscape has coordinated the logistics and transportation for dance lovers from different areas to attend performances at the theatre. The guests of the outreach programme will attend a special presentation by Cohen, as well as experiencing a backstage visit before each show. In addition, free workshops are being offered to professional and advanced dancers at the CTCB studios in Rondebosch on Monday, 7 July, Wednesday, 9 July and Thursday, 10 July. Dancers interested in participating can contact Zelda Productions on az.oc.snoitcudorpadlez@ofni.
* The Geneva Ballet performs in Grahamstown, with the KZN Philharmonic, on 4 and 5 July. To book, go to www.nationalartsfestival.co.za. Tickets are R80 and R100.
** Tickets for the Cape Town double bill range from R200 to R280, R150 for students. Shows are at 7.30pm on 8, 9 and 10 July. Book through Artscape Dial-a-Seat on +27 (0)21 421 7695, or via Computicket on 0861 915 8000, at Shoprite and Checkers outlets, or online at www.computicket.com.
*** The Geneva Ballet South Africa 2014 tour has been made possible by the Swiss Embassy; the Swiss Consulate in Cape Town; BASA (Business and Arts South Africa); UBS; Lindt & Sprüngli (South Africa); Dornier Wine Estate and Zelda Productions.
