The stage at Lesedi Theatre was on fire with the sound of African rhythms, colourful costumes, and the energy of dancers who put a fresh spin on one of the world’s most beloved fairy tales.

MovingFeet Dance and Wellness School, based in Sunninghill, presented its annual showcase with an African-inspired adaptation of Cinderella, bringing together dancers of all ages in a production that celebrated storytelling, culture, and community.

School owner Leanne van Breda said the idea was born from a desire to present audiences with something both familiar and refreshingly different. “We are always looking for fresh and meaningful ways to tell stories through dance. Cinderella is a timeless tale that audiences of all ages know and love, but we wanted to challenge ourselves creatively by reimagining it through an African lens.

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“Every aspect of the production was carefully considered to create an authentic African atmosphere. We incorporated vibrant African-inspired costumes, powerful rhythms and music, and choreography that blended contemporary dance with African movement vocabulary.”

She said the showcase also gave the dancers an opportunity to explore different cultures, while proving that stories of hope, kindness, and perseverance are universal. “Our dancers embraced the theme with incredible enthusiasm. They immersed themselves in learning new movement styles, understanding the energy and character behind the choreography, and bringing authenticity to every performance.”

Months of rehearsals saw dancers working together to bring the production to life, growing not only as performers, but also as storytellers. Their hard work paid off, with audiences responding enthusiastically throughout the weekend. “The audience response exceeded all our expectations. From the opening moments, there was an incredible energy in the theatre, and throughout the performances we could feel how engaged everyone was. Hearing the laughter, applause, and emotional reactions reminded us why we do what we do.”

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Among the performances that had audiences cheering were an energetic gumboot dance, a lively rendition of Waka Waka that got many people on their feet, and a finale featuring an Afrikaans song that celebrated South Africa’s diversity. “One of the most rewarding moments was seeing audience members leave the theatre talking about the creativity of the production and how much they loved experiencing such a fresh interpretation of Cinderella. It was especially meaningful to hear how proud families were of the dancers and how the production resonated with people of all ages.”

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