Review: Beautiful Ballet Theatre Afrikan
Represent goes to the ballet! Thanks to MEG for this review of the latest Ballet Theatre Afrikan performance at the state theatre – HURRY – it’s nearly over!:
Ballet Theatre Afrikan – ‘Windows’
Now I’m no expert on what’s hot and what’s not in ballet but after reading another overly critical review of the show in the Star Tonight, I can firmly say that it really wasn’t my exper…
ience at all.
I think it had all the grace of a classic ballet but with a more updated funky aspect to it. There is no doubt that all the dancers in the Ballet Theatre Afrikan show ‘Windows’ are very talented, without exception. I think that for someone who is deadset against ballet in it’s purest form would find themselves acquiring a taste for it via this show.
It’s accessible!
Some of the scenes were so beautifully danced and acted and with such fluidity that you could be lulled in to thinking you were watching synchronized swimming, as if without having to contend with gravity. In fact one scene involving rain looked like so much fun that I contemplated joining them.
The story revolves around an appartment block and a simple set beautifully lays the scene as we take a voyeuristic peep at people’s lives and their fateful interactions. Two neighbours have an affair and when they are found out a fight ensues, followed strangely by a wedding (which the programme suggests is reflective). So, whilst the dance and choreography is great, I managed to lose the thread of the story a wee bit and the synopsis in the programme didn’t clarify all that much for me either. I was left wondering.
Two dancers stood out from the crowd in particular – Kitty Phetla and Yolandi Olckers. I thoroughly enjoyed the show and will be looking out for more shows by Ballet Theatre Afrikanin the future. And eavesdropping on a few conversations on the way back down to the parking lot will have confirmed this view of the show.
My top tip for the evening however, is to make an evening of it in Pretoria if you live in Jo’burg. It’s a long perilous journey fraught with roadworks, so set out early and grab some dinner in Tswane beforehand, or whatever it is that we’re calling it these days.
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5 July 2005
I remember I first saw the Ballet Theatre Afrikan at the Dance Umbrella a few years ago – lithe slim young girls stretched their long legs towards the audience, captivating us in their sensual story. But the star of the show had to be the young boy with strong dark African legs that went on forever, his supple body floating about the stage as he kept our attention and weaved his contrasting skin against the sheer white of the ballerina’s.
Everytime I have watched Ballet Theatre Afrikan I have felt as if my life has been blessed and my cup of dreams filled up. For a truly enriching experience, we encourage everyone to catch this amazing dance company in action –
Catch “Windows” at the Pretoria State Theatre this weekend and next week – a collaboration of two of the most respected choreographers around – Adele Blank and Martin Schonberg. There is even a half-price show on Friday night!
“Windows” is a unique collaboration by two South African leading choreographers, Martin Schýnberg and Adele Blank, in which the audience plays the role of a ‘voyeur’. Looking through the windows of an apartment block, one is drawn into the bustle of everyday corporate life, the meetings of friends, the games of children and the humdrum progress of daily existence. But delving deeper, one finds the despair of desperate housewives, the intrigue of lust and jealousy and the provocative allure of passion.
“Windows” will seduce and tantalise the senses, perhaps evoking emotions of guilty ‘dýjý vu’, an ache for fulfilment or simply just an appreciation of life.
Whatever the case&
VENUE: Pretoria State Theatre
PERFORMANCE DATES & TIMES:
JULY Friday 8 @ 20.00 Half price Preview
JULY Saturday 9 @ 15.00 Matinee
JULY Saturday 9 @ 20.00 Opening Night
JULY Sunday 10 @ 15.00 Matinee
JULY Thursday 14 @ 20.00 Evening Performance
JULY Friday 15 @ 20.00 Evening Performance
JULY Saturday 16 @ 15.00 Matinee
JULY Saturday 16 @ 20.00 Evening Performance
Book at Computicket
R90 Adults
R65 Students, scholars and Pensioners
R50 Dance studios Block bookings
R50 Schools Performances
10% discount on all block bookings (minimum 10 seats) except schools & studios
Half-price preview: JULY Friday 8
ENQUIRIES @ BALLET THEATRE AFRIKAN
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