Joburg Ballet to make UK debut at London’s Royal Opera House
'Resonance', Dane Hurst’s first work for Joburg Ballet, explores cultural connections and transformation, inspired by South Africa’s historic jazz clubs and celebrating the power of music and dance to unite and inspire.
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Joburg Ballet will make its UK debut at the Royal Opera House’s Linbury Theatre in London on Thursday October 30, with a further three performances through to Sunday November 2.
The company will present a programme titled Communion of Light, featuring works by South African choreographers Dane Hurst, Dada Masilo, Veronica Paeper and Spanish choreographer Jorge Pérez Martínez.
In Resonance, Hurst’s first work for Joburg Ballet following his appointment as artistic director earlier this year, the choreographer explores themes of diverse cultural connections and transformation, manifesting a vibrant vision of the future rooted in the lessons of the past. Drawing inspiration from the energy and spirit of underground jazz clubs in historic South African melting-pot communities, the work celebrates the enduring power of music and dance to unite, heal and inspire.
Dada Masilo’s Salomé, her only commission for Joburg Ballet before her passing in 2024, examines power and the destructive nature of unbridled passion through the lens of Oscar Wilde’s classic play.
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For her only commission for Joburg Ballet, acclaimed South African choreographer Masilo turned to Oscar Wilde’s Salomé, creating a work that revolves around power and the destructive nature of unbridled passion. Salomé was one of Masilo’s last creations before her sudden passing in 2024 at the age of 39.
Veronica Paeper’s 'Concerto for Charlie', created in 1979, is a non-narrative ballet reflecting Dmitri Shostakovich’s 'Piano Concerto No 2', originally commissioned by cosmetic house Revlon and named after their perfume.
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Concerto for Charlie, created by Paeper in 1979 as part of a programme sponsored by cosmetic house Revlon, is a non-narrative piece reflecting Dmitri Shostakovich’s Piano Concerto No 2. The title refers to the perfume Charlie.
'Azul', choreographed by Jorge Pérez Martínez, is a spirited piece danced to classical Spanish guitar compositions, featuring expressive pas de deux and a fluid dance language reminiscent of flowing water.
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In Azul, Pérez Martínez presents a spirited work distinguished by expressive body language and pas de deux. Danced to classical Spanish guitar compositions, Azul, the Spanish word for blue, employs a fluid dance language reminiscent of flowing water.
Commenting on the programme, Hurst said: “The programme honours South Africa’s recent milestone of 30 years of democracy, reflecting on our complex history while celebrating our present and imagining a future shaped by creativity and resilience. This landmark occasion celebrates the artistry of a ballet company from Africa and affirms the power of dance to connect cultures and communities across the world.”
In addition to the four performances at the Linbury Theatre, cast and creatives will introduce the ballets at an Insights evening in the Clore Studio at the Royal Opera House on Tuesday October 28 at 7.30pm.
Joburg Ballet acknowledged the support of the City of Joburg, South Africa’s Department of Sports, Arts and Culture through its Mzansi Golden Economy programme, and extended thanks to The Linbury Trust and The Royal Ballet and Opera.
Bookings for Communion of Light at the Linbury Theatre and the Insights evening in the Clore Studio are available at www.rbo.org.uk