……BY BILLY SUTER……
DURBAN’S newest theatre space – the Milkwood Theatre at Danville Park Girls’ High School in Virginia – will only officially open with Durban’s Young Performers’ Project’s Shrek the Musical this weekend… and yet the venue has already secured a wonderful production to follow it.
It’s Mzansi Ballet’s The Abba Show: A Cinderella Story, already a proven hit in Cape Town and Johannesburg, which has been choreographed by the talented Angela Revie (who also fills the role of Cinderella) and features costumes by David Hutt.
The show, offering some delicious surprises and heaps of fun, is scheduled for Milkwood Theatre performances at 7.30pm on Friday, May 16; 3pm and 7.30pm on Saturday, May 17; and 3pm on Sunday, May 18. Tickets cost R200 (R150 for pensioners and students). Booking is now open at Webtickets.
There is safe parking on the school field, the entrance to which is via the gate next to Astro on Newport Avenue.
The Abba Show: A Cinderella Story blends the music of Abba with the tale of Cinderella, with some amusing twists and tweaks, and even some audience participation. The cast includes Mzansi Ballet’s very own dancers, as well as special guest stars Jorge Wade of Mexico and Ariel Mejica of Cuba. Also featured will be former Playhouse Company dancer, Andrew Gilder, as the Fairy Godmother – a role originally played by Cape Town drag sensation, Cathy Specific.
Gilder stopped dancing in 1998 to pursue law, yet continued to teach ballet for some years after that. He returned to dancing in his hometown, Durban, on the Playhouse Opera theatre stage over the 2024 festive season.
He danced the role of The King in Joburg Ballet’s Sleeping Beauty – which has two sold-out performances, on December 13 and 14, at The Playhouse – after having danced the role of Mr Teavee in Joburg Ballet’s world premiere season of Charlie and the Chocolate Factory. That ballet by Mario Gaglione, featuring an original score by composer Mark Cheyne and designs by Andrew Botha, was staged in Johannesburg in October.
After his Durban performances in Sleeping Beauty, Gilder first stepped into the garb of the Fairy Godmother in the Abba show in a season from December 26 to January 19 at the Pieter Toerien Theatre at Montecasino in Johannesburg.
Away from the stage and spotlight, Mzansi Ballet has been very involved with communities around Johannesburg to grow, develop and foster opportunities for youth, and to create jobs and find ways for them to become self-sufficient, says company director Dirk Badenhorst.
“These dancers and choreographers, from townships such as Soweto and Alexandra, are given training in ballet and are also trained to become teachers in the Cuban Ballet Methodology known as CuDanSA. This has been creating a multiplying effect in that each of the teachers trained are now training many more students.
“Some of these young dancers and teachers are now becoming part of the Mzansi Ballet School which trains young dancers from across Gauteng in the Cuban Methodology as part of our vision to transform ballet in South Africa, Africa and the world.”
Badenhorst adds that 2021 saw the addition of the Mzansi Ballet Junior Company which trains and rehearses dancers to be part of a professional company, and also sees them performing with Mzansi Ballet on stage.
“Our Junior Company is a great way to look wider than just our own groupings and teachers, to find the future talent in and around South Africa. We find and invite young dancers from all over to come to our studios in Johannesburg. That is where most of the classes and rehearsals take place.
“We travel to townships to assist with teaching, mentoring and encouraging our partner teachers and schools. We find the young dancers clothing and support with transport and even with food, when necessary. Moreover, we recognise the importance of making the arts accessible to everyone, including less fortunate communities.”
To this end, Badenhorst adds, Mzansi Ballet is dedicated to assisting communities in gaining access to theatres: “This not only aligns with our commitment to cultural inclusivity, but also underscores our desire to contribute to the broader cultural development of South Africa”.
Mzansi Ballet’s productions have included Bengingazi, The Queen Show, The Christmas Show, The Neil Diamond Show and Carmen – The Ballet. They company has also choreographed and staged The Gold Rhino of Mapungubwe Ballet.
.....SoSuterBill..... 