Queen at the Ballet to bedazzle Joburg
JOBURG - After rave reviews and two sold-out seasons in Cape Town, Joburg audiences are about to be dazzled by Sean Bovim's Queen at the Ballet.
The production, to be staged at Joburg Theatre, captures the story of the Great Pretender, Freddie Mercury, in rock ballet en pointe.
Set to more than 20 of British rock band Queen and Mercury’s greatest hits, including Bohemian Rhapsody, Who Wants to Live Forever, Another One Bites the Dust, and Barcelona, the production will take audiences on a biographical journey of one of the world’s greatest singers.
“The audience can expect to see tender pas de deux interspersed with exciting rocking group numbers performed by over 20 of South Africa’s top dancing talents,” said promoter Collett Dawson.
Above: Vocalists Cito and Angela Kilian have recorded the Queen At The Ballet showstopper Barcelona (first made famous by Freddie Mercury and Montserrat Caballé) as a music video, facilitated by The CoLab Network.
“The show is packed with high artistic standards, innovative and original choreography, and powerful performances from the strong cast of dancers.”
Dawson said Michael Hankinson’s recorded orchestral arrangements of Queen’s music were enhanced by the live gymnastic vocals of Wonderboom’s Cito, and Daniel Fisher.
Angela Kilian will make a special guest appearance alongside Cito for the song Barcelona.
The production will bring together not only good music and brilliant ballet, but powerful fashion as well, through collaborations with South African designers such as Malcolm Kluk and CGDT, Craig Port, Gavin Rajah and Ian West.
Artistic director Bovim said, “For years, I’ve wanted to bring my rock ballet to the Joburg Theatre… I’m happy to share the exciting news that the wait is almost over. The strong cast is led by Henk Opperman, winner of Dans! Dans! Dans!, who passionately portrays the role of Mercury… We can’t wait for March to arrive.”
Queen at the Ballet will run from 26 March until 13 April.
Details: 0861 670 670; www.joburgtheatre.com
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