A Star is Born! SABT Triumphs!

Soloist, Shannon Glover, catapulted to the status of Principal Dancer in an opening night in which she suddenly was thrust into the role of Princess Aurora in this superb production of the SA Ballet Theatre’s Sleeping Beauty at the Joburg Theatre’s Mandela Auditorium.
It was an opening night of great excitements as Glover and Humberto Montero - with 15 minutes’ notice - took over the leads from the company’s opening night stars, Burnise Silvius and the visiting Australian guest star who injured his calve just before the curtain went up.

And, it was an absolutely beautiful performance! The SABT hasn’t been in such great form for many many years! It was a total delight to see the company dance in the spectacular costumes and absolutely charming sets by the late Anthony Farmer who was in his late eighties when he designed this breathtaking production many many years ago! It is a feather in the cap for all concerned that the original masterpiece has been so beautifully preserved!

But, the star of the night was no doubt Ms Glover who had worked her way through the ranks since 2004 she was accepted onto The South African Ballet Theatre’s Graduate Programme and during her Graduate year performed the solo in ‘Kopano’ and the role of Clara (including the Dance of the Sugar Plum Fairy) in ‘The Nutcracker’. In 2005 she was accepted into SABT as a member of the corps de ballet. And, she has shone brightly ever since.

Shannon was promoted from Senior Solist to Principal after the performance. Good move SABT!
As he stepped onto the stage in Act III as Prince Florimund, Humberto Montero appeared to be cautious but he gave a solid performance and truly showed off the beaming Aurora in the plethora of fish dives – beautifully executed and to thunderous applause! And, the audience roared with delight quiet often – from the Blue Bird Pas de Deux through to the Cats and Little Red Riding Hood with her Wolf – we had endless fun and delight on an evening of rare ballet de leux

Here I need to make mention of two of the company's baby-members - two dancers from the Corps de Ballet who gave an absolutely flawless performance as the Bluebirds. This is one of the most demanding Pas de Deux in the entire ballet repertoire and no gala night is without it. Jessica Overton and James Fraser were absolutely flawless when they danced this very difficult show stopper - and they did stop the show! What an achievement! Here are two future stars!
During the current season of this fairytale ballet, The Sleeping Beauty, the delight will be more than before as three well-known theatre couples add their own slight and charm to the performances with a number of guest appearances during the run.

From 30 September to 16 October 2011, theatrical star couples such as Des and Dawn Lindberg; Michael De Pinna and Carolyn Steyn (nee Barkhuizen); and Lena Ferugia and Robert Davies will grace the stage (as the royal king and queen in respective performances) along with the dancers from the SABT.

The SABT company includes stars such as principal dancer Burnise Silvius and international guest artist Adam Thurlow, his second time performing with The SABT, who will dance in the principal roles, and local guest artists Yolandi Olckers and Turiso Magongwa performing the Bluebird couple.

Based on the original Marius Petipa choreography, The Sleeping Beauty promises is a memorable family entertainment experience.

Des and Dawn Lindberg are well known throughout South Africa for their work as entertainers, singers and theatre producers over the past four decades. Dawn studied ballet with Sheila Wartzki, and has a teacher’s diploma in the Cecchetti method. She also studied contemporary dance in Detroit USA and danced with Bluma Rubin and Rhoda Orlin.

Dawn, together with Artistic Director Iain MacDonald, looked regal and enjoyed this rather unusual stage appearance thoroughly!

Michael de Pinna and Carolyn Steyn co-present the radio show Whispers on Radio Today where they regularly interview celebrities and Film-making couple Lena Ferugia and Robert Davies is indeed fit for their roles as on stage royals.

The Johannesburg Philharmonic Orchestra will accompany for this very special ballet season, except for performances on 6, 7 and 13 October, when it will be danced to recorded music. The conductor for the JPO for this production is Sonja Bass, her first time conducting for the ballet.

Ticket prices for The Sleeping Beauty range from R50 to R320, except for the Sunday morning (11am) performances, when all tickets are just R110 - an affordable and family treat that cannot be missed - be it by a balletomane or just someone who loves the beautiful!

Bookings may be made through the Joburg Theatre on 0861 670 670 or www.joburgtheatre.com and for more information contact Edgar at SABT on 011 877 6893 or email edgar@saballettheatre.co.za