BRIAN LOFTUS FOR SABT

International guest teacher at The South African Ballet Theatre.

The South African Ballet Theatre (SABT) invites dancers (aged 15 and older) from all over South Africa to participate in the Open Class taught by international guest teacher and lecturer, Brian Loftus on June 5 in Johannesburg.

Brian Loftus trained in London and Paris, and danced professionally with Sadler’s Wells Opera Ballet in London and with La Grande Ballet Classique de France in Paris. For 23 years, he taught at Arts Educational School in London, where he was Director of the Student Dance Course.

He regularly attends teacher’s training courses and successfully completed a course at the Vaganova School in St Petersburg, Russia. For 22 years he has held Open Professional Classes in London's Covent Garden area for dancers from all over the world - his past pupils include Galina Samsova, Andre Prokovsky, Maina Gielgud, Marion Tait, Eva Evdokimova, Wayne Sleep and Adam Cooper. He has also been a guest teacher with numerous ballet companies, including the London Festival Ballet (now English National Ballet); Rambert Dance Company; London Contemporary Dance Company; London City Ballet; and Kiel Ballet Company in Germany.

He was guest coach on the film Nijinsky, where he taught class to the film’s stars Carla Fracci, Lesley Browne and George de la Pena. Brian Loftus is patron of the West Midlands Youth Ballet. In 2008, he was invited to teach the class for the Maris Liepa Gala in London, participants included stars from Bolshoi Ballet, Maryinsky Ballet, Paris Opera, and London's Royal Ballet.

The Open Class takes place at The SABT studios on June 5 from 15h00 to 16h30. place at The SABT studios, Hoofd Street, Braamfontein Johannesburg. Parents, dance teachers and members of the public are also invited to watch the class.

The entry fee for dancers to participate is R100 each. SABT Friends’ members will pay R40 to watch the class, while non-members will be charged R60. Early booking is advised as the class is limited to 50 dancers and just 120 audience members.

Registration is open for dancers as well as audience members through Mr Moagi on admin@saballettheatre.co.za or call + 27 11 877 6898.

The South African Ballet Theatre is currently in rehearsal for the comedy ballet Coppélia which opens at the Promusica Theatre in Roodepoort on June 12. Ticket prices range from R50 to R150. Book at Computicket.