I was invited to photograph the final dress rehearsal for the South African Ballet Theatre’s 10th anniversary showpiece ‘Balletomania!’, which forms part of this year’s Joburg Arts Alive International Festival.
News24 also ran a slideshow based on these images here.
Members of The South African Ballet Theatre’s Academy prepare for ‘Balletomania’ in the dressing rooms at the Joburg Theatre.
Emma Corbett prepares for ‘Balletomania!’ at the Joburg Theatre.
Nicole Ferreira, Kanja Grobler, Emma Corbett and Sarahjane Sowter put the finishing touches on their make-up before the final dress.
Dancers from The South African Ballet Theatre’s Development programme darn their shoes backstage at the Joburg Theatre (newly re-branded Joburg Theatre, not Johannesburg Civic Theatre).
Dancers from The South African Ballet Theatre’s Development programme.
James Fraser, a member of the Senior Corps de ballet applies his make-up before going on stage.
Eva Mokwebo and Martha Mlondolozi look on as dancers prepare to go on stage in their costumes for ‘Napoli’.
Each female dancer wears bespoke pointe shoes- these are imported and cost on average R1000 a pair. The dancers attempt to lengthen the lifespan of their pointe shoes by putting them in the oven or spraying the backs with lacquer.
Members of The South African Ballet Theatre Academy warm up in the wings.
Dancers from The South African Ballet Theatre’s Development School in an excerpt from ‘Paquita’.
Members of The South African Ballet Theatre in the opening scene of ‘Balletomania!’.
Members of The South African Ballet Theatre in the opening scene of ‘Balletomania!’.
Members of The South African Ballet Theatre’s Academy in ‘Tango’.
Members of The South African Ballet Theatre in ‘Napoli’.
Carlos Santos, Humberto Montero and James Fraser in an excerpt from ‘Le Carnaval de Venise’.
Nicole Ferreira in an excerpt from ‘Kingdom of the Shades’.
Senior Soloist Chloe Grove as the Sugar Plum Fairy in an excerpt from The Nutcracker.
An excerpt from The Nutcracker Act 11 with Nicole Ferreira, Jessica Overton, Haydee Baker and Sanmarie Kreuzhuber as Mirletons with Chloe Grove as the Sugar Plum Fairy.
Sanmarie Kreuzhuber in an excerpt from ‘La Esmeralda’.
Senior Soloist Chloe Grove in an excerpt from ‘La Bayadere’
Shannon Glover and Jonathan Rodrigues in the ‘Spring Water’s pas de deux.
Shannon Glover as Princess Florine & Humberto Montero as the Blue Bird on an excerpt from The Sleeping Beauty.
Shannon Glover as Princess Florine & Humberto Montero as the Blue Bird on an excerpt from The Sleeping Beauty.
The South African Ballet Theatre in ‘Amakhono-khono’ , a new work choreographed by Shannon glover which premieres at ‘Balletomania’ on September 9th. The dancers are accompanied by drummers from The Drum Cafe.
The South African Ballet Theatre in ‘Amakhono-khono’ , a new work choreographed by Shannon glover which premieres at ‘Balletomania’ on September 9th. The dancers are accompanied by drummers from The Drum Cafe.
Dancers from The South African Ballet Theatre’s Development School in an excerpt from ‘Paquita’.
Shannon Glover as Princess Florine & Humberto Montero as the Blue Bird on an excerpt from The Sleeping Beauty