First it premiered at the UJ Arts Centre in Johannesburg to full houses and critical acclaim last year. Now, following on the massively successful heels of capacity houses on the Main Programme of the National Arts Festival, the Johannesburg Youth Ballet (JYB) is presenting a return season of their celebrated ballet, Hansel & Gretel, at the UJ Arts Centre before it sets off for Durban. This is JYB’s 3 City-3 Stage Tour of Hansel & Gretel, which is in part a celebration of 37 years of this Youth Art Company’s existence – nearly four decades providing opportunities for young up-and-coming ballet dancers.
Joburg audiences, who missed the premiere last year, will now have the opportunity of being thrilled by the magic of this innovative two-act ballet, which has been cleverly crafted by four leading South African creative talents. Hansel and Gretel is exquisitely choreographed by Mark Hawkins to a dramatic original score by Nik Sakellarides. Then, to appeal to a new generation of theatregoers, design and digital animator Andrew Botha brings an exciting contemporary element to this classical piece as he cleverly weaves the art of design and digital animation into the sets, while Malcolm Finlay of PENMAC integrates the audio-visual aspects to finish off this seamless masterpiece – a show that is both perfect for classical ballet lovers as well as the tech savvy generation.
The integration of classical ballet with modern technology further enhances the relevance of JYB’s Hansel and Gretel, ultimately providing a story, which audiences, young and old, can relate to. It’s a tale of an economically marginalized family pitted against famine and how they will do anything to survive. This is a theme that is close to home in today’s world, where children beg on street corners and huddle beneath cardboard boxes to sleep at night.
Under the guidance of gifted Artistic Director Kate Martin, the JYB features a company of 44 of the city’s enthusiastic and promising young dancers who proudly carry the banner of Youth Arts to a new height, while giving expression to the rich characters and dramatic themes during their solos, duos, trios and full company ensemble numbers, which so aptly portray the story of Hansel and Gretel.
JYB’s Hansel and Gretel is a tale of hunger and hope, a reminder that there are many latter day Hansels and Gretels eking out a survival on the harsh streets of our cities. The story has as much relevance today as it had when it was first published by the Brothers Grimm 200 years ago. And, although dark and dramatic at its core, it is still a fairy-tale, weaving the magic of love, hope and happily ever after enough to leave audiences feeling mesmerized and inspired.
About the Johannesburg Youth Ballet
Audrey King founded the Johannesburg Youth Ballet, fondly referred to as the JYB, in 1976 in response to an invitation to take a group of young dancers from Johannesburg to the International Festival of Youth Orchestras and Performing Arts in Aberdeen Scotland. Flouting the political laws of the time the JYB became one of the first integrated youth groups to represent South Africa abroad.
Under the visionary leadership of JYB Chairperson Jean Beckley and Artistic Director Kate Martin, the company continues to nurture young dancers from across the City of Johannesburg. Their goal is to give dancers from all socio- economic backgrounds an opportunity to work and perform in a professionally run dance company.
Auditions are held annually to select the JYB members aged between 12 and 25. Classes and rehearsals are held every weekend. Above average ability matched with a passionate determination to learn and improve, ensures a young dancer a place in the JYB.
Book for Hansel and Gretel on the move in 2013 – 3 Cities – 3 Stages at Computicket.
Tickets cost R80 – R130. The Early Bird Booking special price is R80.
Performances at UJ Arts Centre are from 14 to 18 August 2013. Times: 14, 15 and 16 August at 19.30; 17 August at 11.00, 15.00 and 18.30; and 18 August at 11.00 and 15.00.