(Lwazi
Msimase & Jamie Mills as Hansel & Gretel. Pic by MarkWolhuter)
The timeless story of hunger, love, courage
and triumph that is Hansel and Gretel comes to Durban this month as a brand new
ballet choreographed by Durban-born Mark Hawkins, who is now based in
Johannesburg.
Featuring the Johannesburg Youth Ballet
(JYB), this highly acclaimed original will be presented at the Drama Theatre
from September 19 to 21, in association with the Playhouse Company and with the
support of the Arts and Culture Trust.
First performed in Johannesburg for a short
run last year, the JYB made its celebrated debut on the main programme of the
recent National Arts Festival in Grahamstown.
The Durban run is perfectly timed for
end-of-term celebrations and the start of the September spring holiday. With
this in mind, the JYB has scheduled two dedicated school’s performances on September
19 at 09h00 and 12h00.
Another artist familiar to Durban audiences
is Andrew Botha, who has created the set design and digital animation, while
the original score is the work of Pietermaritzburg-born and Midlands-raised Nik
Sakellarides and audiovisual integration is by Malcolm Finlay of Penmac.
Hansel
and Gretel, played to full houses and critical
acclaim when it premiered at the University of Johannesburg’s Arts Centre in
August 2012. It is a definite audience pleaser.
The 37-year-old JYB, under the leadership
of artistic director Kate Martin, features a company of 32 of the city’s most
promising young dancers who proudly carry the banner of youth arts to a new
height. They embody the promise of the continuity of this classical art form
while showing its wide appeal to youth from all backgrounds.
The narrative of Hansel and Gretel provides rich character possibilities and
challenging performance opportunities in solos, duos, trios as well as full
company ensemble numbers.
The JYB invites audience members to donate
non-perishable food items to create a “House of Food” in the foyer. This
non-perishable food drive cleverly draws attention to the fact that Hansel and
Gretel is a tale of hunger and that there are latter day Hansels and Gretels
eking out a survival on the harsh streets of our cities.
The story has as much relevance today as it
had when it was first published by the Brothers Grimm 200 years ago. While
there are vulnerable children and exploitative adults, the story of Hansel and
Gretel needs to be told. The Johannesburg Youth Ballet’s version will inspire
audiences with its sensitivity, lyricism and beauty.
Hansel
and Gretel has public performances on September 19 and
20 at 19h30, and September 21 at 11h00, 15h00 and 19h00. Tickets R90 booked
through Computicket.
Schools wishing to make bookings should
contact Kim Coppen at kim@thinktheatre.co.za
or 082 579 6882.
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