UPCOMING PRODUCTIONS & NEWS
Experience two extraordinary evenings of ballet that celebrate beauty, power, and transcendence. Cape Ballet Africa invites you to The Teatro, Montecasino this June for SALT and Breathwords – two unique programmes that honour tradition while pushing creative boundaries.
SALT
Where Movement Becomes Magic
13 June 2025, 19:30 | 14 June 2025, 15:00
Tickets: R200 – R400
Step into a world where ritual meets rhythm.
SALT is a celebration of all that flavours, purifies, heals, and uplifts. These ballets are sleek, stylish, and breathlessly beautiful – a feast for both the senses and the soul.
The programme features George Balanchine’s Allegro Brilliante Set to Tchaikovsky’s soaring Piano Concerto No. 3, and staged by Diana White, formerly of New York City Ballet. A work known for its expansive romanticism and pure, joyful dance vocabulary.
“Edgy and elegant… as refreshing as a cool drink on a hot summer’s day.” — Eugenie du Preez, News24
“A feast for the eye.” — Nigel Vermaas, Bush Radio
BREATHWORDS
Where Classical Mastery Meets Contemporary Elegance
14 June 2025, 19:30 | 15 June 2025, 15:00
Tickets: R200 – R400
A luminous and emotionally resonant programme, Breathwords takes audiences on a journey through heritage, transformation, and the quiet spaces between movement and meaning.
Featuring four captivating works:
George Balanchine’s Allegro Brilliante
A return of the Tchaikovsky favourite, staged by Diana White, delivering both technical brilliance and romantic splendour.
“whispers from within” by Wubkje Kuindersma
A hauntingly beautiful contemporary ballet set to Max Richter’s reimagining of Vivaldi’s Four Seasons, by the renowned Dutch choreographer.
“REMANSO” by Nacho Duato
A lyrical, deeply human work by the celebrated Spanish choreographer. Presented with the support of the Embassy of Spain in Pretoria and the Spanish Consulate in Cape Town.
REVERIE by Kirsten Isenberg
An ethereal new creation set to Rachmaninoff’s lush Piano Concerto No. 2, offering a graceful, dreamlike close to the programme.
“A transformative evening of dance that elevates the soul.” — Keith Bain, Daily Maverick
“Mesmerising… an invitation to simply exhale and be transported by pure talent and skill.” — Barbara Loots, Theatre Scene Cape Town
📍 Venue for both productions:
The Teatro, Montecasino, Fourways, Johannesburg
For media enquiries, group bookings or VIP access, please contact: [email protected]
Brand New Production Of The Nutcracker At Montecasino This Festive Season
Cape Ballet Africa Brings a Company of 50 and International Guest Stars to Johannesburg!
Ticket sales for the brand-new production of The Nutcracker on stage at Montecasino’s Teatro in December are now on sale at Webtickets.co.za. Cape Ballet Africa and Global Star Events proudly present this magical ballet featuring South Africa’s finest classical dancers joined by renowned international guest stars, all collaborating to bring Tchaikovsky’s enchanting score to life. This strictly limited season opens Thursday, 4 December 2025.
Audiences will witness a transformation from a Christmas Eve ball to a world of dancing snowflakes, the Kingdom of Sweets, and be enchanted by this classic tale of the courageous Nutcracker Prince as he battles to save his Princess. Dazzling choreography and stunning costumes complement the magnificent music, creating a truly unforgettable, fantastical experience. From the iconic “Dance of the Sugar Plum Fairy” to the vibrant “Waltz of the Flowers,” every moment is a visual feast for the senses.
Staged by renowned London-based choreographer Maina Gielgud and with magnificent sets designed by Michael Mitchell, this timeless ballet captures the wonder and joy of the festive spirit.
Maina Gielgud is a hugely experienced choreographer. She has danced with companies around the world, including Sadlers Wells Royal Ballet, Scottish Ballet, Australian Ballet, Ballet Nacional de Cuba, CAPAB, PACT, and the London Festival Ballet. She was also the director/associate director of the Australian Ballet, Royal Danish Ballet, and Houston Ballet.
Michael Mitchell’s designs for productions including Madama Butterfly, Carmen, A Midsummer Night’s Dream, The Magic Flute, Porgy and Bess, and Mandela Trilogy have been enjoyed by audiences in, among other places, the London Coliseum, the Teatro Real Madrid, the Teatro Colón in Buenos Aires, and the Maifestspiele in Wiesbaden.
Debbie Turner, CEO and Artistic Director of Cape Ballet Africa, says, “The Nutcracker is such a heartwarming, family-friendly ballet, and we’re excited to combine the incredible talents of our local Cape Ballet Africa dancers with brilliant guest artists from around the world. Audiences are in for a special treat this festive season.”
Simon Bryce, CEO of Global Star Events, says “South Africans are big ballet fans. The Nutcracker is one of the most popular and best loved ballet productions across the globe and South Africa is no exception. We are expecting tickets for this magnificent Tchaikovsky classic, to be in high demand and therefore encourage patrons to book now to avoid disappointment.”
Cape Ballet Africa’s The Nutcracker promises a magical production with breathtaking precision from the 50-strong company and its guests. The season opens on 4 December 2025. Don’t be disappointed – book early! Recommended for all ages over five years. Ticket prices range from R250 to R690.
Tickets are from Webtickets.co.za or at Montecasino.co.za
Cape Ballet Africa Returns To The Drama Factory With INTERMEZZO
Cape Ballet Africa presents a new programme of short works at the delightful Drama Factory where the Company enjoyed presenting work in 2024.
INTERMEZZO will be presented from 16 to 25 May.
The production is a gentle and cathartic artistic offering from this recently established company fresh from their exceptional debut at the Artscape Opera House in March.
Celebrating Tchaikovsky features the composer’s most loved works for ballet including The Sleeping Beauty, Swan Lake and The Nutcracker. A selection of iconic tunes form the basis for this suite profiling the beautiful artists of Cape Ballet Africa.
Desiderata, the much – loved prose poem by writer Max Ehrmann forms the inspiration for the collection of choreographic works by South African choreographers with Marcel Meyer, celebrated South African actor, narrating the evocative and stirring text.
INTERMEZZO will be presented at The Drama Factory on:
- 16, 17, 23 and 24 May at 19h30
- 17 and 24 May at 15h00
- 18 and 25 May at 16h00
What the audience had to say about BREATHWORDS:
‘A transformative evening of dance that elevates the soul’
Keith Bain, Daily Maverick
‘magic can be made when you have the winning recipe that combines talent, passion and intuitive lighting. I [was] so mesmerised that it was [a case of] being invited to exhale and simply enjoy the chance to be entertained by pure talent and skill’
Barbara Loots, Theatre Scene Cape Town
Tickets cost R280 / R260 for groups of 4
Bookings can be made at: Drama Factory
With its fully licensed bar and cosy, welcoming atmosphere, The Drama Factory is the perfect venue to enjoy top-quality entertainment with a group of friends or family. The solar-powered invertor ensures the show will always go on, even when there is load-shedding!
The Drama Factory is situated at 10 Comprop Sq, Henry Vos Close, Asla Business Park, Strand, Western Cape. Parking is available at the venue.
Cape Ballet Africa has just confirmed it will stage Maina Gielgud’s “Giselle” at The Baxter next year.
Diarise the dates 13 – 23 November 2025
For Dancers:
Contracts will be available for professional ballet dancers, and additionally, special opportunities will be available for pre-professional students from the age of 15 years for experiential learning and performance opportunity
Cape Ballet Africa celebrates first birthday with new studio and bumper 2025 programme
As it journeys into its second year, Cape Ballet Africa has a bumper programme lined up for 2025, including the premiere of a new triple bill, a touring programme and Maina Gielgud’s Giselle.
The Company celebrates a double whammy, marking its first birthday as well as the completion of its custom-made new studio at the Sports Science Institute of South Africa (SSISA), a move which has been made possible thanks to the investment of Food Lover’s Market.
Established by Debbie Turner in March 2024, Cape Ballet Africa seeks to reimagine how ballet can look in Africa, 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.
Its inaugural season SALT premiered at The Baxter last year, to sold out houses and critically acclaimed responses.
“Through our longstanding association with Debbie Turner and Cape Ballet Africa, we know dance has the power to inspire, uplift, and transform lives. Our support of Cape Ballet Africa is rooted in a shared passion for nurturing talent, creating opportunities, and building strong, vibrant communities. Seeing Cape Ballet Africa grow, celebrate its first birthday, and open this beautiful new studio at SSISA is a proud moment for all of us – it’s a home for young dancers to dream bigger and reach higher. We are so proud to be part of this journey and can’t wait to see the impact this will have on the next generation of dancers.” says Shaneen Coppin, Food Lover’s Market and Cape Ballet Africa Board Member.
“The Sports Science Institute of South Africa shares Cape Ballet Africa’s vision of creating a proudly African global reputation through performance excellence. We are excited that Cape Ballet Africa is starting a new journey with us that will positively impact even more lives and deeply enrich the human experience.” says Dr Mandla Moyo, CEO of the Sports Science Institute of South Africa.
PROGRAMME FOR 2025
Other plans for the first quarter of the year include a presentation of Mthuthuzeli November’s Chapter 2 on 28 February and 1 March at Jazzart Dance Theatre’s inaugural Meraki Dance Festival; performances at RMB Starlight Classics at Vergelegen Wine Estate as well as presenting SALT at the Klein Karoo Nasionale Kunstefees on 1 and 2 April.
“Taking us into autumn, we return in May to the intimate and wonderful The Drama Factory in Somerset West for a two-week run, followed by EXTRACTS OF SALT at FynArts Festival in Hermanus from 6 to 9 June”, says Turner. “We will also be looking forward to returning to The Drama Factory for another season in September.”
From 10 to 22 November, Cape Ballet Africa will present celebrated artist, choreographer and pedagogue Maina Gielgud’s production of classic favourite Giselle at The Baxter.
“We are cooking up something special for the end of the year and a number of exciting plans incuding national tour dates,” says Turner. “Breathwords at Artscape in March and a breathtaking programme for 2025 is in store for us!”
“We once again extend our sincere gratitude to our sponsor and partner, Food Lover’s Market and the Sports Science Institute of South Africa for helping to launch us into this next phase,” concludes Turner.
The Cape Ballet Africa Company of dancers are:
Gabriel Ravenscroft, Gemma Trehearn, Jan Kotzé, Joshua Williams, Julia O’Keeffe, Kayla Schultze, Leanè Theunissen, Mia Coomber, Nicolas Laubscher, Nina Simpson and Tayla de Bie. Apprentices are Aphiwe November, Erin Padoa, Gia Lipschitz and Thomas Larché.
Cape Ballet Africa is proud to be associated with Food Lover’s Market with their commitment to innovation and their values to….have faith, lead with love, be the miracle”.
Cape Ballet Africa is also grateful for the support of The Fine Fund, THEATRE DANCE ASSOCIATION (TDA), BASA, Ballet World, Cape Town Philharmonic Orchestra and CDIC (Cape Dance Injury Centre) and Southern Sun Hotels for hosting.
Join the conversation and keep in touch with updates from Cape Ballet Africa:
- Instagram: Cape Ballet Africa
- Facebook: Cape Ballet Africa
- Tik-Tok: Cape Ballet Africa
NOTES TO EDITOR
Wubkje Kuindersma – Choreographer whispers from within
Wubkje is a choreographer based in The Netherlands. The past years she served as Creative Associate at Dutch National Ballet (2021- 2024), where she choreographed for the junior and main company.
Known for her poetic and emotionally rich works, she has a background with ballet and contemporary dance, which allows her to create pieces that are both technically demanding and deeply expressive.
Kuindersma was among Dancemagazine USA’s Top 25 to watch list for 2019. Her duet Two and Only for Dutch National Ballet was internationally acclaimed and performed worldwide, with Marijn Rademaker being nominated for the Prix de Benois 2018 for his role in this work.
Kuindersma graduated at Codarts, and has danced with companies such as Nürnberg Ballet, Djazzex, Gulbenkian Ballet, McGregor’s Random Dance and Danish Dance Theatre. She has choreographed for Dutch National Ballet and its Junior Company, Korzo & NDT, Birmingham Royal Ballet, Ballet Dortmund, West Australian Ballet, BalletX, Danish Dance Theatre, Skanes Dansteater, Ballet Kiel, Noverre – Stuttgart Ballet, National Youth Ballet of John Neumeier, Hessisches Staatsballet, Dutch National Ballet Academy, and many others.
Her work has been well received by audience and press and her many accolades include 4 nominations and 2 awards for her full length ballet for West Australian Ballet Echoes of Van Gogh at West Australian Performing Arts Awards in 2024.
Spanish choreographer and world ballet star Nacho Duato, visiting Cape Town soon. 25, 26 & 27 March 2025 at Artscape Theatre with Cape Ballet Africa. Not to be missed. Tickets available at Webtickets. Courtesy of the Spanish Embassy (Pretoria) and the Consulate Spain (Cape Town) with support of AECID (Agencia Española de Cooperación Internacional para el Desarrollo)
Nacho Duato – Choreographer REMANSO
Nacho Duato is an internationally celebrated choreographer and dancer. He trained at Rambert School in London, expanding his studies at Maurice Béjart’s Mudra School in Brussels and completing his dance education at The Alvin Ailey American Dance Centre in New York.
His long list of awards and accolades include receiving the Chevalier dans l’Ordre des Arts et des Lettres which is annually given by the French Embassy in Spain, as well as being awarded by the Spanish Government in 1998 with the Golden Medal for the Merit in the Fine Arts.
At the Stuttgart Opera he received the Benois de la Danse, one of the most prestigious international awards for choreography, presented by the International Dace Association for his ballet Multiplicity, Forms of Silence and Emptiness, in April 2000.
In 2023 he founded the Nacho Duato Academy for dance education for students and dancers from all over the world.
His ballets form part of the repertoire of companies like Paris Opera, Cullberg Ballet, Nederlands Dans Theater, Les Grands Ballets Canadiens, Deutche Opera Ballet, Australian Ballet, Stuttgart Ballet, Ballet Gulbenkian, Finish Opera Ballet, The Royal Ballet, The Singapore Ballet, Tulsa Ballet Theatre, Pacific Northwest Ballet, San Francisco Ballet, The Washington Ballet, Hubbard St. Dance Chicago, North Carolina Dance Thatre, The Boston Ballet, The Gothemburg Ballet, The Royal Swedish Ballet, The Royal Danish Ballet, The Northen Ballet, Ballet du Capitole, Ballet du Rhin, Teatro Comunale Florence,
National Ballet of Portugal, The Norweigian Ballet, National Theatre Tokio, The Universal Ballet, Stars Foundation Ballet, American Ballet Theatre, Tulsa Ballet Theatre, Staats Theater Berlin, Bolshoi Ballet, etc.
In 1980 Duato signed his first professional contract with the Cullberg Ballet in Stockholm and a year later Jirí Kylián brought him to the Nederlands Dans Theater in Holland, where he was quickly incorporated into company and repertoire.
For his achievements as a dancer, he received the VSCD Gouden Dansprijs (Golden Dance Award) for the year 1987.
Duato’s natural talent had him soon looking beyond the limitations of being a dancer and turned towards choreography. His first attempt in 1983 turned into a major success: Jardí Tancat to Spanish/Catalan music by compatriot Mª del Mar Bonet won him the first prize at the International Choreographic Workshop (Internationaler Choreographischer Wettbewerb) at Cologne.
Without reducing his responsibilities as a dancer Duato, has created more than a dozen works for the two companies of Nederlands Dans Theater: Danza y Rito (Chávez), Uccelli (Respighi), Synaphai (Xenakis/Vangelis), Bolero (Ravel), Arenal (Bonet), Chansons Madecasses (Ravel), Raptus (to Richard Wagner’s Wesendonk Lieder), Dreams of Ether (Landowsky), Lament (Gorecki), etc. For almost every work painter/designer Walter Nobbe proved a constantly inspiring and reliable collaborator.
In 1988 Nacho Duato was named Resident Choreographer for Nederlands Dans Theater – next to Hans van Manen and Jirí Kylián.
Since June 1990, invited by the Instituto Nacional de las Artes Escénicas y de la Música of the Spanish Ministry of Culture, Nacho Duato is Artistic Director of Compañía Nacional de Danza, where he created the following works: Concierto Madrigal (J.Rodrigo), Kaburias ( L. Brouwer), Opus Piat (L.V.Beethoven), Duende ( Debussy), Empty (Collage), Cor Perdut ( M de M Bonet)Coming Together (F.Rzewski), Na Floresta ( H. Villalobos), Mediterrania (Collage), Cautiva (A. Iglesias) , Alone, for a second (E. Satie), Tabulae (A. Iglesias), Rassemblement ( Toto Bissainthe)Ecos (S. Micus), Cero sobre Cero (A. Iglesias), Por Vos Muero, Ofrenda de sombras (s. XVI), Arcangelo (Corelli), Self ( A.Iglesias), Castrati (K. Jenkins), L´Homme ( Kurtag), Seventeen ( P. Alcalde/S. Caballero), Herrumbre ( P. Alcalde/S. Caballero), White Darkness ( K. Jenkins), Txalaparta ( K. Junkera), Hevel ( P.Alcalde/S.Caballero), O Domina Nostra ( H.Gorecki), Cobalto ( P. Alcalde/S. Caballero) etc.
In October 1997 he created Remanso with music by Enrique Granados and in 2000 Without Words (Schubert) at the American Ballet Theatre. In January 1998 he created his first full length ballet, Romeo and Juliet on Prokofiev music, in 2000 Multiplicity, forms of void and silence, in 2006 Alas based on the texts of Wim Wenders for his film Himmel Über Berlin and in 2010 Chejov´s Infinite Garden.
From January 2011 he took the position of Artistic Director of Mikhailowsky Ballet (Saint Petersburgs-Russia) creating the following pieces: Nunc Dimitis, Prelude, Sleeping Beauty, Nutcracker, Invisible.
In 2014 he created Depakine for the Martha Graham Dance and from 2014 he became Artistic Director of Berlin State Ballet (Germany) a position which he occupied until July 2018. In 2018 he was appointed Artistic Director of Mijailowsky Ballet (Saint Petersburg, Russia)
Kirsten Isenberg – Choreographer Reverie
Kirsten Isenberg studied at the University of Cape Town where she attained a Bachelor of Music in Dance, majoring in Choreography, Classical and Contemporary Dance. She went on to dance for Cape Town City Ballet as well as Bovim Ballet and later was part of the international touring company for Phantom of the Opera.
As a classical, neo-classical and contemporary dance choreographer, Kirsten has created works for various companies and schools such as the Cape Junior Ballet, Cape Academy of Performing Arts, Cape Dance Company, New World Dance Theatre and Cape Town City Ballet. She was also appointed as the first South African commissioned choreographer for the Royal Academy of Dance’s Genée International Ballet Competition in 2011.
Kirsten has previously worked with Cape Town City Ballet as Senior Repetitéur, rehearsing, coaching and staging works by choreographers such as Veronica Paeper, Maina Gielgud and Jiri Kylián. She has also served as choreographer and movement director for Cape Town Opera on their productions of Viardot’s Cendrillon, Verdi’s La Traviata and most recently Donizetti’s Lucia di Lammermoor.
Kirsten serves on the Board of Directors for Cape Junior Ballet Company and was recently appointed Resident Choreographer for Cape Ballet Africa.
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.
WHAT THE PRESS HAVE TO SAY
‘[Whispers From Within]… We are mesmerised by the perfect symmetry between the glorious sounds of Summer and Spring from Vivaldi’s Four Seasons (compellingly recomposed by Max Richter) and the superbly choreographed piece about intuition and connection….[In REMANSO] Three men, all perfect creatures, dance together in a dream of power, connection, confidence, love and non-judgement….A lungful of crisp air….[Reverie] We loved it before, we love it still….We could only smile and sigh, breath deeply and think how lucky we are] ‘
Siobhan Cassidy, Calloffthesearch.com
‘[BREATHWORDS is] A transformative evening of dance that elevates the soul…..[the dancers] have given themselves over to the works, placed themselves in the hands of three masterful choreographers in order to lift audiences out of their seats and transport them to some ethereal place’
Keith Bain, Daily Maverick
‘breathtakingly beautiful ballet….Cape Ballet Africa dancers dazzle…from the grace and precision of classical ballet in Kirsten Isenberg’s Reverie, to the athleticism and physical theatre and comedy in Nacho Duato’s Remanso and the exquisite lyricism in Wubkje Kuindersma’s whispers from within.’
Robyn Cohen, The Cape Robyn
‘a triple bill of ballets bursting with beauty, strength and vibrant expression…it’s incredible.’
Karisa Nicholls, Cape Town My Love
‘Creativity on a Masterful Scale, with Blissful taste, Visual Splendour and Dancers of exquisite talent.’
Brian van Rheede
‘sheer exuberance, talent, spirit, vibrancy, excellence in technique, fabulous costumes, exciting music and innovative choreography.’
Hadley Tituss
‘The triple bill of ballets presented in SALT offers a diverse and intellectually stimulating exploration of choreographic artistry, leaving a lasting impression on audiences and critics alike.’
Shireen Fisher, The Platinum Brief
‘it’s beautiful…a feast for the eye.’
Nigel Vermaas, Bush Radio
‘It’s always thrilling to watch a performance from totally committed dancers, and SALT, Cape Ballet Africa’s inaugural performance, was this but so much more… a company classically trained and truly African… Kirsten Isenberg’s Reverie [is] a ballet of gentle beauty… Mthuthuzeli November’s Chapter Two is a winner… Smoke, a smouldering, jazzy piece, closed the evening on a high. Michelle Reid’s choreography is witty, with a clever play of dynamics to build a head of steam’
Maggie Foyer, Dance Europe
CAPE BALLET AFRICA proudly presents Breathwords, a mesmerizing triple bill that marks the company’s debut at the prestigious Artscape Opera House and celebrates its first anniversary
This landmark production features two internationally curated choreographies alongside Kirsten Isenberg’s Reverie, an ethereal masterpiece set to Rachmaninoff’s Piano Concerto No. 2. Now expanded to encompass all three movements of this iconic composition, Reverie has become a signature work of the company, captivating audiences with its dreamlike meditation on movement and music.
Breathwords offers an unforgettable ballet experience, performed live with the Cape Town Philharmonic Orchestra on 25 March, and with recorded music on 26 and 27 March. With a duration of 120 minutes, including a 30-minute interval, this performance promises an evening of artistry, emotion, and elegance, celebrating the transformative power of dance and music. Don’t miss this enchanting debut that redefines the boundaries of ballet.
