Opening at the Joburg Theatre on June 4 and at Artscape’s
Opera House in Cape Town on June 27, but sadly not coming to Durban, A Spartacus of Africa is gearing up to
treat audiences to the world premiere of this magnificent large-scale ballet.
Veronica Paeper, South Africa’s acclaimed choreographer, has
cast the lead roles with three international dancers. “I am delighted to
announce that Brooklyn Mack, and two of South Africa’s dancers, Lara Turk and
Andile Ndlovu will be returning to South Africa’s stages. The character of
Spartacus, the captive King of Thrace, is a demanding role and requires strong
dancers. I have cast Brooklyn Mack, Andile Ndlovu and Casey Swales in the role
of Spartacus, whilst Lara Turk is Phrygia (Spartacus’s wife)”.
The role of Phrygia will also be performed by Elzanne
Crause, Michaela Griffin and Simone Botha and Aegina (the concubine to Crassus)
by Kristin Wilson and Elzanne Crause.
The role of Crassus will be performed by Casey Swales and
Willem Houck (previously from the Hong Kong Ballet).
South African dancer Lara Turk was born in Durban and joined
The Royal Ballet as First Artist in 2007 and has been there ever since. She
studied with the English National Ballet School between 2000 and 2003 and
graduated into the Playhouse Dance Company, where her repertory included
Swanilda (Coppélia). She later moved
to Cape Town City Ballet, dancing roles including Veronica Paeper's Carmen, Snow Queen (The Nutcracker) and fourth song (Four Last Songs). She was named Best Newcomer and Outstanding
Female Performer by Cape Town Balletomane Society. Her numerous international
roles have made her the most respected and well-known female dancer of her
time.
Casey Swales, also born in Durban, has had a career both as
a dancer and choreographer. He was a finalist in Dans Dans Dans, the reality dance show on KykNet, and one of the
founder members of Mzansi productions in 2008. He’s performed lead roles in
Bovim Ballet’s Romeo’s Kiss as well
as performed in numerous other seasons nationally including Under Construction, Syzygy and Freedom, The
Nutcracker and Bolero at the
Playhouse Theatre in Durban.
SANDT’s successful fundraising applications to the National
Lottery Distribution Trust Fund, the National Arts Council, The Arts and
Culture Trust and a variety of private funders and trusts have all made this
outstanding production possible.
The Joburg Theatre season runs from June 4
to 14 and the Cape Town season runs June 27 to July 12. Booking is at Computicket
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