…..SoSuterBill…..

……BILLY SUTER……

AFTER last year’s fun mesh of the Cinderella story and Abba music, Johannesburg-based Mzansi Ballet is now set to return to Durban to present another novel ballet, this time with a story woven around hits by Elvis Presley.

The work is Sean Bovim’s Private Presley – The Ballet, and it is to slot in at Durban North’s Milkwood Theatre, at Danville Park Girls’ High School, from February 13 to 15.

Performances are scheduled for 7pm on the Friday and Saturday, February 13 and 14, with a 3pm matinee also lined up for the Saturday. The final performance will be at 3pm on Sunday. February 15.

Bovim’s reimagining of the life of Elvis Presley features international star Jorge Wade, from Mexico, as Elvis, alongside South African prima ballerina Angela Revie, as the music legend’s wife, Priscilla. The dance work is an evocative ballet exploring love, fame and Presley’s military years. It focuses on the triumphs, relationships and tribulations of the King of rock ‘n’ roll.

The ballet explores the complexities of Presley’s personal life, delving into his military service – reflected in the title, Private Presley – and his intimate relationships, especially the women who deeply influenced his journey.

The Mzansi Ballet company will be joined by dancers from Taryn Makaab’s studio in a production that features costume design by David Hutt, a long-time collaborator with Mzansi Ballet.

“Doing Sean Bovim’s Private Presley has been a privilege, and it is a wonderful addition to the Mzansi Ballet repertoire,” says Dirk Badenhorst, director of Mzansi Ballet.

Founded in 2017 by Badenhorst, Mzansi Ballet is a unique dance company that identifies and cultivates young South African talent. The company brings together these emerging artists with seasoned professionals to create performances that authentically convey South African stories while respecting the cultural and historical aspects of classical ballet.

The company’s core mission is to nurture artistic expression, foster cultural appreciation and engage communities through the art of dance. Mzansi Ballet is dedicated to preserving and perpetuating South Africa’s rich dance heritage, both within its own practice and through active participation in the wider African cultural dialogue.

NOTE: On the morning of Saturday, February 14, the regionals for the SA Ballet Competition, will once more be hosted at the Milkwood Theatre.

Booking for Private Presley – The Ballet is available now at Webtickets.