(Pic by Susanne Holbaek: Arianni Martin and Josué Justiz of the National Ballet School of Cuba)For the first time since the 1994, South African ballet audiences will be treated to the traditional full-length three-act version of the great Russian ballet Don Quixote when Mzansi Productions brings the scintillating classic to Johannesburg and Durban.
Based on an episode in Cervantes’ epic novel and set in bustling Seville, the ballet tells a story of the triumph of young love over parental match-making. The beautiful, audacious Kitri and the dashing but poor Basilio are determined to marry but Kitri’s father has more ambitious plans for his daughter.
The sparkling comedy unfolds in a cascade of dazzling classical ballet which features some of the most celebrated showpieces in all ballet, the most famous of which is the virtuoso Don Quixote Pas de Deux.
The Mzansi Productions staging is based on the original version by the great 19th century choreographer Marius Petipa and will be staged with the assistance of the National Ballet School of Cuba. Also contributing to bringing Don Quixote back to the South African stage will be ballerina Angela Malan, Mzansi Productions’ ballet mistress.
The new décor and costumes will be designed by leading South African stage designer, Andrew Botha.
In a coup for South African ballet, the Mzansi Productions company will be augmented by between 15 to 20 visiting dancers from Cuba, South Korea and Argentina, promising to make Don Quixote one of the ballet highlights of recent years.
Don Quixote will be performed in Durban in the Playhouse Opera on September 29 and 30 as well as October 1, 4, and 5 at 19h30 and on October 1 and 2 at 14h30. Tickets at R80, R100, R120 and R160 can be booked through Computicket on 083 915 8000.
Johannesburg performances will be at the Lyric Theatre, Gold Reef City, from October 13 to 23.
Mzansi Productions receives funding from the National Lottery Distribution Trust Fund.
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