As it journeys into its second year, Cape Ballet Africa has a bumper programme lined up for 2025, including the premiere of a new triple bill, a touring programme and Maina Gielgud’s Giselle.

The Company celebrates a double whammy, marking its first birthday as well as the completion of its custom-made new studio at the Sports Science Institute of South Africa (SSISA), a move which has been made possible thanks to the investment of Food Lover’s Market.

Established by Debbie Turner in March 2024, Cape Ballet Africa seeks to reimagine how ballet can look in Africa, instilling the discipline of classical ballet while blending in the exciting heritage of South African culture. The Company identity strongly aligns with the global dance landscape while building a proudly African organisation.

Its inaugural season SALT premiered at The Baxter last year, to sold out houses and critically acclaimed responses.

Cape Ballet Africa makes its debut at Artscape Opera House from 25 – 27 March with a new triple bill, BREATHWORDS.

BREATHWORDS features two choreographies by international creators, presented alongside an expanded version of South African choreographer, Kirsten Isenberg’s Reverie, an ethereal masterpiece set to Rachmaninoff’s Piano Concerto No. 2,which captivated audiences last year. Maggie Foyer for Dance Europe praised Reverie as ‘a ballet of gentle beauty.”

The line-up also features the world premiere of whispers from within, choreographed by renowned Dutch choreographer Wubkje Kuindersma, set to Summer and Spring of Vivaldi’s Four Seasons recomposed by Max Richter.

Completing the programme is excitingly Nacho Duato’s REMANSO, a project made possible with the invaluable support of the Embassy of Spain in Pretoria and the Spanish Consulate in Cape Town.

“Wubkje explores the beauty and power of human connection through her work, with elegance, emotion and artistry, celebrating the transformative power of dance and music. We are honoured to be staging her first production in Africa, the continent of her birth,” says Debbie Turner, Artistic Director and founder of Cape Ballet Africa.

“It is a dream come true for us and a coup to have secured Nacho Duato’s REMANSO for Breathwords,” says Turner. “This expressive, playful, sensual work, set to music by Spanish composer Enrique Grandos, forms the middle ballet of our new triple bill. We are especially grateful to the Spanish Embassy and the Consulate in Cape Town for making this project happen.”

REMANSO is an all-male work originally created on American Ballet Theatre, New York in 1997, set to music by Enrique Granados.

Cape Ballet Africa will have the privilege of working with Master Spanish Choreographer and Director Duato to bring his acclaimed one-act ballet to the Artscape stage.

Choreography for REMANSO is by Nacho Duato with Music by Enrique Granados. Set and Costume Design are by Nacho Duato with Lighting Design by Brad Fields and Production Supervision by Carlos Iturrioz.

“We are very proud to bring Nacho Duato to Cape Town for the first time, one of the renowned choreographers in the world and our greatest Spanish star in the world ballet scene. For twenty years he was the director of the Spanish National Dance Company and his choreographies have become part of the repertoire of the most prestigious international companies. And it is especially exciting to have him working together with South African dancers and conducting workshops in Cape Town during his stay,” says Jesús Silva, Consul General of Spain.

BREATHWORDS offers an unforgettable ballet experience. Don’t miss this enchanting debut that redefines the boundaries of ballet. Bookings can be made at Webtickets

Programme for 2025
Other plans include performances at RMB Starlight Classics at Vergelegen Wine Estate as well as presenting SALT at the Klein Karoo Nasionale Kunstefees on 1 and 2 April.

“Taking us into autumn, we return in May to the intimate and wonderful The Drama Factory in Somerset West for a two-week run, followed by EXTRACTS OF SALT at FynArts Festival in Hermanus from 6 to 9 June”, says Turner. “We will also be looking forward to returning to The Drama Factory for another season in September.”

From 10 to 22 November, Cape Ballet Africa will present celebrated artist, choreographer and pedagogue Maina Gielgud’s production of classic favourite Giselle at The Baxter.

The Cape Ballet Africa Company of dancers are: Gabriel Ravenscroft, Gemma Trehearn, Jan Kotzé, Joshua Williams, Julia O’Keeffe, Kayla Schultze, Kingsley Beukes, Leanè Theunissen, Mia Coomber, Nicolas Laubscher, Nina Simpson and Tayla de Bie. Apprentices are Aphiwe November, Erin Padoa, Gia Lipschitz and Thomas Larché.

Cape Ballet Africa is proud to be associated with Food Lover’s Market with their commitment to innovation and their values to….have faith, lead with love, be the miracle”.

Cape Ballet Africa is also grateful for the support of The Fine Fund, THEATRE DANCE ASSOCIATION (TDA), BASA, Ballet World, Cape Town Philharmonic Orchestra and CDIC (Cape Dance Injury Centre) and Southern Sun Hotels for hosting.