Ballett Zürich’s Brandon Lawrence partners with Cape Ballet Africa’s Camille Bracher in Sir Kenneth MacMillan’s Concerto pas de deux
South African arts and ballet lovers are in for a special treat following the announcement that Ballett Zürich’s Brandon Lawrence will partner Cape Ballet Africa’s Camille Bracher in Sir Kenneth MacMillan’s Concerto adagio pas de deux as part of the Company’s inaugural season next month.
Cape Ballet Africa’s SALT runs at Pam Golding Theatre at The Baxter from 21 to 28 September, featuring a captivating triple bill of ballets by South African choreographers Kirsten Isenberg, multiple award-winning choreographer Mthuthuzeli November and Michelle Reid in an electric programme of new South African choreographic works.
Mr Lawrence will perform with Ms Bracher in the pas de deux at all performances of the Cape Ballet Africa season.
Brandon Lawrence says:
“It’s an enormous privilege to be invited to dance at Cape Ballet Africa’s inaugural performances this September. The company is packed full of heart and drive which is the recipe for success. I want to sincerely thank Debbie Turner for this invitation and Cathy Marston for her kind permission in making this possible.”
Cape Ballet Africa Artistic Director Debbie Turner says:
“We are honoured to have been entrusted to perform this work, by kind permission of The Kenneth MacMillan Estate. To have this iconic, romantic and dreamlike work as part of the programme for our first season is a proud moment in the company’s short history. We are excited to share this exquisite pas de deux with South African audiences.”
“Brandon is a scintillating, consummate artist and we are delighted to welcome him back to Cape Town to partner our very own Camille Bracher. It is fitting they are performing together, as both have danced for Royal Ballet companies for ten years – Brandon with Birmingham Royal Ballet and Camille spent ten years at The Royal Ballet.”
“We extend our grateful thanks to Cathy Marston, director and choreographer extraordinaire at Ballett Zürich for making this partnership possible.”
Sir Kenneth MacMillan’s Concerto pas de deux is performed by kind permission of The Kenneth MacMillan Estate.
SALT features a dynamic triple bill of Kirsten Isenberg’s Reverie, Mthuthuzeli November’s Chapter Two and Michelle Reid’s Smoke.
Reverie is a neoclassical work to Rachmaninov’s Concerto No 2 in C Minor; a meditative and reflective study of delirious fanciful musings, in a dreamy state.
Mthuthuzeli November’s Chapter Two is set to a purpose-commissioned score written by Peter Johnson, a modern percussive work that is perfectly reflected through the rhythmic body isolations and lightening quick movement vocabulary reminiscent of the precursor of his original Visceral. Chapter Two is a revisit, a place you have been to before, a musing on a previous time. November’s reinterpretation of this score depicts the emergence and underpinning of his unique African classical choreographic voice.
Michelle Reid’s Smoke costumed in hot red is a metaphor for glowing heat and intense emotion. Reid is widely known for her quirky creative spirit, unique movement language and interpretive skill. A passion for pure jazz music, Reid creates a new take on the iconic Brubeck Take Five, a reference to the rhythmic tempo of the work in a manner that is smooth, graceful and playful.
Show Information:
SALT
Venue:
Pam Golding Theatre at The Baxter
Dates:
21 – 28 September 2024
Times:
Tuesdays to Fridays at 19h30;
Saturday at 15h00 and 19h30
Ticket Prices:
From R200 – R350 (including VAT)
Bookings:
Bookings through Webtickets or (021) 685 7880
also available at Pick n Pay Stores
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About Cape Ballet Africa
Cape Ballet Africa celebrates cultural values imbued through dance, instilling the discipline of classical ballet while blending in the exciting heritage of South African culture. The Company identity strongly aligns with the global dance landscape while building a proudly African organisation.
Cape Ballet Africa seeks to reimagine how ballet can look in Africa, using the interplay of identity and culture, the diversity in all elements of the artform; the people and the repertory.
Cape Ballet Africa produces performances that are bold and strongly rooted in the classical ballet technique, with exceptional quality front-and-centre as an inherent part of the artistic identity. It is founded in discipline and self-expression, individuality in teamwork, with a distinctive elegance, refinement and audacious grace.
Established by highly respected dance figure Debbie Turner, Cape Ballet Africa will, through performance excellence and ongoing professional development of artists, inspire new generations to appreciate an artform that demands much of the human spirit, gives much back to the human spirit and fosters a broad appreciation and following within the African diaspora. Innovation and collaboration are core focuses within the operation of the Company, with unique voices already a hallmark of its daily functioning, both within the cast and the creative minds.
Education and upskilling of young apprentice professional artists working with more experienced artists will also be a focus for the new company.
Cape Ballet Africa is honoured to include Dr Connie September, Diane Van Schoor and Thoriso Magongwa as the company’s Patrons.
