Hansel and Gretel – The Ballet comes to Durban
THE timeless story of hunger, love, courage and triumph that is Hansel and Gretel comes to Durban next month as a new ballet choreographed by Durban-born Mark Hawkins.
Featuring the Johannesburg Youth Ballet (JYB), this acclaimed original will be presented at the Drama Theatre from 19 to 21 September, in association with the Playhouse Company and with the support of the Arts and Culture Trust.
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 Thursday 19 September at 9am and noon.
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.
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.
T he 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.
Public performances are 19 September at 7.30pm, 20 September at 7.30pm and 21 September at 11am, 3pm and 7pm.
Tickets are R90 and booking is at Computicket.
Schools who want to make bookings should contact Kim Coppen at kim@thinktheatre.co.za or 082 579 6882.
