South African Ballet Theatre 10 years

The South African Ballet Theatre (SABT), the country’s largest professional ballet company, will celebrate its tenth anniversary with a busy year beginning with a tour to the Free State.

The ever popular two act ballet The Nutcracker opens at the Sand du Plessis Theatre in Bloemfontein on March 9, 2011. Set to Tchaikovsky’s well – known score, the ballet tells of a young girl, Clara, who receives a magical Nutcracker doll at a Christmas party. Her Uncle Drosselmeyer gives the doll life and takes Clara on a magical journey. The ballet, with choreographic revisions by Artistic Director Iain MacDonald, was critically received during its festive season run last year in Pretoria and is entertainment for the whole family. Bookings are now open through PACOFS ticket office on 051 447 7772 or www.pacofs.co.za or through Computicket on 083 915 8000 or www.computicket.com.

Following the success of the inaugural SABT Winter School in 2010, SABT will once again open its state-of-the- art studios to dancers countrywide for the SABT Autumn School from 28 March to 2 April, 2011. Dancers aged 6 to 18 years old are invited to attend the exciting Autumn School and join the stars of SABT for a fun filled- week including daily ballet class, repertoire classes, contemporary dance classes, National dance classes, stage craft lessons, Pilates classes and much more. As a limited number of participants may enroll, interested dancers are encouraged to book early through SABT offices by phoning Mr Moagi on 011 877 6898 or email admin@saballettheatre.co.za.

SABT keeps the spirit of Valentine’s Day alive well into May with the full – length, three-act ballet of the tragic love story, Romeo and Juliet, at the Joburg Theatre in Braamfontein from 27 May to 19 June 2011. Inspired by Shakespeare’s tragic tale, the saga of Romeo and Juliet unfolds against a passionate vendetta between two families in Renaissance Italy. The grand vistas of the city of Verona provide the setting for a blend of magnificent music by Sergei Prokofiev and sweeping choreography to tell an immortal tale of young love. SABT’s leading stars perform the roles of the star-crossed lovers in this staging, All performances will have live orchestral accompaniment. Bookings are now open through Computicket on 083 915 8000 or www.computicket.com.

SABT will return to the Joburg Theatre for a second season from 30 September to 16 October with The Sleeping Beauty - everyone’s favourite magical fairytale about a beautiful princess, an evil fairy and a handsome prince whose kiss awakens the princess from her 100-years sleep.

The Company will return to the South African State Theatre for a Christmas ballet season from 18 November to 18 December 2011.

Open Days are an extremely popular chance to catch a behind – the scenes glimpse into the working life of a professional ballet company. Patrons are invited to visit the SABT studios for an informative and educational morning on Saturday 19 March and Saturday 10 September from 10h00 – 13h00. Bookings may be made through SABT offices by phoning Mr Moagi on 011 877 6898 or email admin@saballettheatre.co.za.

For further information, please visit www.saballettheatre.co.za