Following the award-winning success of NIJINSKY’S WAR, leftfoot productions, in association with Andrew Steyn, present a new production; BIRTHING NUREYEV at The Lesedi Theatre, Joburg Theatre Complex from 29 September 2022 till 2 October 2022, followed with a run at the Vrystaat Kunstefees, Bloemfontein from 4 October 2022 till 9 October 2022.

BIRTHING NUREYEV, written by award-winning Henque Heymans, is based on the life of Russia’s finest dancer – Rudolph Nureyev and is leftfoot productions’ third installment of work focusing on a dancer and completes the trilogy. This dance infused theatrical work is choreographed and performed by Ignatius van Heerden with direction by acclaimed Andre Odendaal. With lighting design by Emil Haarhoff, Set design by Kosie Smit, and AV design by Naret Loots. It was first launched at the National Arts Festival Makhanda in 2019 to critical acclaim.

“As with Nijinsky’s War, Birthing Nureyev has given me an opportunity to pay tribute to some of the finest dancers in history while exploring my own dance story. The production showcases extraordinary talent in writing, direction and design and it has been remarkable journey for all involved. Each performance of this production has given the story greater depth and meaning,” says van Heerden.

BIRTHING NUREYEV focusses on Nureyev’s exceedingly dramatic escape from Russia on June 16, 1961, when he slipped through his keepers’ fingers to defect to the West. The KGB’s insidious attempts from behind the iron curtain to destroy his career are juxtaposed with his prodigious success in the West. Despite his fame and fortune, Nureyev was shattered when his home country denounced him and damningly charged him with high treason. Most heartbreaking was the inevitable alienation from his loved ones.

Founded in 2016, leftfoot productions brings with it van Heerden’s extensive training in the styles of Jazz, Ballet, and Contemporary Dance, passion for dance and his desire to train others. Between 2017 – 2018 van Heerden and leftfoot productions garnered awards and multiple nominations for NIJINSKY’S WAR including the coveted Standard Bank Ovation Award for excellence and a SA Theatre Magazine award for Best Cutting-Edge Production, as well as nominations for various Naledi Theatre Awards, SATMag Theatre Awards and Broadwayworld.com awards. His solo performance in DROOM (2019) met with critical acclaim at the National Arts Festvial and Aardklop and was nominated for best performance in a solo production.