There can be only Won
South Korean ballerina Jin Ho Won (pictured) has arrived in Johannesburg to dance the title role in Iain MacDonald's new production of Cinderella for South African Mzansi Ballet (SAMB).
The premiere takes place at the Joburg Theatre on Friday, September 13, and the season runs to Sunday, September 29, with Won alternating as Cinderella with SAMB dancers.
Won first danced into the hearts of South Africans in 2012 when her exquisite style and ele-gance won her two gold medals in the senior division of the Cape Town International Ballet Competition. Won has also distinguished herself at the Prix de Lausanne in Switzerland and Youth America Grand Prix in New York.
After studying in South Korea and at American Ballet Theatre’s Jacqueline Kennedy Onassis School in New York, Won has danced extensively in South Korea and with American Ballet Theatre 2 in the US.
Johannesburg, however, will have the privelege of seeing her in a ballerina role in a full-length ballet.
SAMB’s glittering new production of artistic director and choreographer Iain MacDonald’s Cinderella is danced to the champagne-infused melodies of Johann Strauss II. The lilting melodies of Strauss’ only full-length ballet score will be heard in Johannesburg for the first time, replacing the more familiar Prokofiev music and bringing an irresistible charm and dazzle to the classic rags-to-riches tale.
The ballet company’s previous production of Cinderella in 2009 broke box-office records and the 2013 staging promises even grea-ter delights with Strauss’ genius for sumptuously unforgettable melodies setting the stage alight with dancing seen at its splendid best in designer Andrew Botha’s re-imagined sets.
Cinderella is the first production to be presented since the announcement in June of generous funding for the ballet company from the City of Johannesburg. South African Mzansi Ballet’s development and outreach programme receives funding from the National Lottery Distribution Trust Fund.
