Cape Town City Ballet unveils 2019 autumn/winter lineup

For Sleeping Beauty, CTCB will welcome leading international guest artists Vadim Muntagirov and Sarah Lamb (The Royal Ballet), Precious Adams (English National Ballet), Andile Ndlovu (Washington Ballet) and Siphe November (National Ballet of Canada).

CTCB in a previous production of Sleeping Beauty - © Pat Bromilow-Downing

The triple bill of Amaranth is an exciting programme of neo-classical and contemporary classical masterpieces with George Balanchine’s Serenade, Frank Staff ‘s Transfigured Night and Christopher L Huggins’ Enemy Behind the Gates. The set and costume design for Transfigured Night will be modernised and updated by the inimitable Peter Cazalet and lighting design for the production is by award-winning designer Wilhelm Disbergen, who completes the creative team.

Set to Tchaikovsky’s Serenade for Strings in C, Op. 48. – with four movements: Sonatina, Waltz, Russian Dance and Elegy – the neo-classical Serenade is one of Balanchine’s most beautiful ballets and a milestone in the history of dance as the first original ballet he created in America. It remains a signature work of the New York City Ballet’s repertory and will be staged for CTCB by Rebecca Hirsch.

Honouring South African heritage as part of the programme, CTCB will present Frank Staff‘s Transfigured Night staged by doyenne Veronica Paeper. Set to a sweeping score by Schoenberg, Transfigured Night, based on a true story, is intense and dramatic, telling a story of a brother and sister dominated by an older sister. Obsessed with keeping the family together and unhappy with the arrival of a suitor for the younger sister, she senses that the solidarity of the family is threatened. The older sister weaves the story; an intense love story with intimate duets that are a hallmark of Staff’s choreography.

Following significant popularity, American choreographer Christopher L Huggins returns with his acclaimed Enemy Behind the Gates, a look into the minds of incendiaries – how they live quietly and patiently in the shadows before they strike. A breathtakingly athletic fusion of contemporary ballet and modern movement that is militaristic and percussive in style.

Warming up winter is popular favourite Sleeping Beauty, staged by esteemed South African ballet legend Denise Schultze Godfrey. Performed to Tchaikovsky’s delightful music, this timeless story follows Princess Aurora’s 100-year sleep and magical awakening, as well as encounters with fairies and fairytale characters such as Little Red Riding Hood, Puss in Boots and the Bluebird and Princess Florine.

“The 2019 autumn/winter programme is a captivating celebration of classical ballet and modern classics,” says Debbie Turner, CEO of Cape Town City Ballet. “The lineup is a marriage of work by international icons and South African legends, who are leading lights in the global dance arena. We are honoured to be welcoming our international guest artists, some of whom are returning home for the season, as well as working alongside ballet masters who have been a pivotal part of CTCB’s journey.”

CTCB will be accompanied by the Cape Town Philharmonic Orchestra at selected performances.

Bookings may be made at Computicket on 0861 915 8000, online at www.computicket.com or at any Shoprite Checkers outlet.