BTA takes a walk on the wild sideArtslink.co.za02/08/2006 16:08:04 
BTA takes a walk on the wild side  On its 10th Anniversary, Ballet Theatre Afrikan makes its mark as a creative, classically based dance company producing unique and indigenous works. Artistic Director Martin Schönberg produces and directs Rudyard Kipling`s beloved "Just So Stories" in a collaborative and colourful production with an original score."Just So, the cat that walked through Kipling", is a cat`s walk through the thought-provoking Kipling fables, weaving the themes of evolution and domestication of the planet throughout the ballet. One of South Africa`s leading jazz pianists and composers, classically-trained Wessel van Rensburg has created an inspired score, drawing on his love of fantasy and skill for improvisation. Consummate percussionist Magda de Vries will be part of the musical quartet playing live, and actress and singer Dominique Paccaut will narrate and link the thread between each tale. With stories as diverse as "How the leopard got his spots", "How the rhinoceros got his skin" and "The cat that walked by himself", three contrasting choreographers will interpret the fables, ensuring a wide range of dance styles: Chris Kindo, Martin Schönberg and Thoriso Magongwa evoke interest with their diverse choreographic vocabularies. The production will appeal to both young and old and will premiere at the Market Theatre on 25 February and tour extensively including the Spier Festival from 30 March - 1 April and the Gauteng area. "Just So, The cat that walked through Kipling"will provoke thought, entice visually and beguile spectators with exhilarating entertainment. "when the moon gets up and night comes, he is the Cat that walks by himself waving his wild tail and walking by his wild lone."R. Kipling Don`t miss it! Ballet Theatre Afrikan is the recipient of funding from the National Lottery Distribution Fund. VENUE: Market Theatre, Newtown, Johannesburg PERFORMANCE DATES and TIMES 24th February Friday at 20:00 Half Price Preview 25th February Saturday at 20:00 Opening Night 28th February Tuesday at 11.00 Schools Performance 1st March Wednesday at 11.00 Schools Performance 2nd March Thursday at11.00 Schools Performance 3rd March Friday at 11.00 Schools Performance 3rd March Friday at 20:00 Evening Performance 4th March Saturday at 15:00 Matinee Performance 4th March Saturday at 20:00 Evening Performance 5th March Sunday at 15:00 Matinee Performance 7th March Tuesday at11.00 Schools Performance 8th March Wednesday at11.00 Schools Performance 9th March Thursday at11.00 Schools Performance 10th March Friday at11.00 Schools Performance 10th March Friday at 20:00 Evening Performance 11th March Saturday at 15:00 Matinee Performance 11th March Saturday at 20:00 Evening Performance 12th March Sunday at 15:00 Matinee Performance TICKET PRICES: R 75.00 Adults Evening Prices R 65.00 All seats for matinee performances R 65.00 Scholars under 12 R 65.00 Students (upon production of a student`s card at Computicket outlets) R 65.00 Pensioners (upon production of a pensioner`s card at Computicket outlets) R 37.50 Half Price Preview: all tickets SCHOOLS TICKET PRICE: R50.00 for a block booking of 1-50. R45.00 for a block booking of 50 -100 R40.00 for a block booking of 100 or more. Bookings: Ballet Theatre Afrikan: 011 880 3099 or info@bta.co.za SPIER FESTIVAL, STELLENBOSCH 30 March - 1 April BOOKINGS and ENQUIRIES Computicket: 011 340 8000 or www.computicket.com Ballet Theatre Afrikan 011 880 3099 or info@bta.co.za or www.bta.co.za THE KEY PLAYERS CHOREOGRAPHERS: Christopher Kindo Has performed professionally in both contemporary and classical companies including, The Boston Ballet Co and MJT Dance Co in the USA, and South African companies: Jazz Art, Capab, NAPAC and Pact Dance Company. For a number of years he worked closely with Free Flight Dance Co as the associated Artistic Director. Kindo has worked in many genres as a choreographer for musicals, T.V. commercials, movies and events. His major works have been mounted on all of South Africa`s professional dance companies. In 2003 Ballet Theatre Afrikan acquired his highly acclaimed "Me and You". His numerous awards both as a dancer and choreographer include a 2001 FNB Vita Nomination for Choreography for "Black Tide", 1995 National Choreography Award for "Die Dans van die Reen", 1994 FNB Vita Award for Contemporary Choreography for "The Lark", 1993 "Standard Bank Young Artist Award for Dance/Choreography, 1991 FNB Vita Award for Outstanding Male Dancer for "Me", 1991 FNB Vita Award for Contemporary Choreography for "Me", and 1990 FNB Vita Award for Outstanding Male Dancer for "Dance for me", "Sit Sat", "If you can`t change the world, change your curtains." Choreographed "Sollopa" for BTA in 2004. Martin Schönberg After a successful international career as a soloist with Royal Ballet of Flanders, Ballet of Wallonie and Zurich Ballet, Martin returned to South Africa where he embarked on the next stage of his career. From his teaching in the financially disadvantaged areas of Gauteng emerged the founding dancers of the youth company, Ballet Theatre Afrikan. Established in 1996, Ballet Theatre Afrikan (BTA) re- launched as a fully-fledged professional company at its first season at the Johannesburg Civic Theatre in 2002. Martin juggles his role as Artistic Director of Ballet Theatre Afrikan and BTA Too (the youth company) with that of teacher and coach of the next generation of dancers at the Ballet Theatre Afrikan Academy of Dance. He also oversees the training of two hundred young learners at four satellite schools in Johannesburg and Ennerdale. His previous choreographies include the Three Act Ballets," Cinderella" and "The Adventures of Alice". Shorter works include "For the Snark was a Boojum you see" and "The Sunshine Suite." Most recently he co-choreographed "Windows" for the Market Theatre season with Adele Blank. In 1997 Martin Schönberg received the FNB Vita Dance Umbrella Special Award" For your commitment to the development of dance in Gauteng and for creating a uniquely new South African group of young dancers". In 2005 he opened the Ballet Theatre Afrikan Academy in Alexandra. Russian Ballet Master Alexei Ilin trains children from the age of eight with a view to produce the next BTA generation. Thoriso Magongwa Started his dancing career with Martin Schönberg at the age of 13. In 2000 he danced through to the semi finals of the Prix de Lausanne International Ballet Competition in Switzerland. He is a founding member of Ballet Theatre Afrikan performing as a principal dancer both nationally and internationally. He has also appeared as a guest artist with SABT and Jazzart. Named as "Best newcomer: Mae dancer by Thys Odendaal, Die Beeld for his performances in the productions of" Dance at the Factory" and "Sollopa" and "Four Seasons" His most recent success during 2005 was winning through to the finals of the prestigious Helsinki International Ballet Competition in Finland. MUSICIANS: Composer Wessel van Rensburg Graduated cum laude at Stellenbosch University, studied light music at the Pretoria Technikon and obtained a degree in Advanced Piano Improvisation at the Sweelinck in Amsterdam. Returned as lecturer and Head of Piano Department at Pretoria Technikon. Has written music for established as well as emerging musicians across the South African music spectrum and has played with The Bruce Cassidy Band, Hotfoot Orchestra, Alan Kwela Jazz Quartet, Lulu Gontsana trio, Vusi Khumalo Band Johnny Fourie Quartet and the Herbie Tsoali Band. Percussionist Magda De Vries After obtaining performer`s licentiate diplomas (with distinction) from both the Associated Board of the Royal Schools of Music and the University of South Africa, two of the most prestigious South African overseas music scholarships were awarded to her, and enabled her to pursue postgraduate studies in percussion as the first foreign student at the Tokyo College of Music under Prof Atsushi Sugahara. While in Japan, she was invited to join Percussion Museum (resident percussion ensemble in Tokyo), made her solo recital debut, received a Tokyo College of Music study grant and obtained a postgraduate diploma cum laude. Has worked extensively in the UK and in 2003 formed Duo FourIVTwo with South Africa`s most acclaimed vibraphonist, Frank Mallows. The duo has performed with great success at the Grahamstown Festival, the Baxter Concert Hall (Cape Town), the Aardklop Festival (Potchefstroom), Northwards House (Johannesburg), the Kruger National Park as well as the Franschoek Festival. Magdalena currently works as freelance percussionist in the Johannesburg Philharmonic Orchestra, the Johannesburg Festival Orchestra, the Johannesburg Music Initiative and the Chamber Orchestra of South Africa, and lectures in percussion at the National School of the Arts, Pro Arte Alphen Park High School, the University of Pretoria, and she is also guest lecturer at the University of Port Elizabeth. NARRATOR/SINGER: Dominique Paccaut Obtained a Diploma in Musical Theatre at the Pretoria Technikon in 2000. Has extensive dance training in Ballet, Classical Greek, Jazz Tap, Contemporary, National and African Dance. Was a member of the JHB Youth Ballet from 1993-8. Has worked in various television productions, commercial launches and numerous shows for Peoples Theatre. From 2001-2005 worked consistently in various corporate works and stage productions such as "Voila Moulin Rouge"(Off Broadway Theatre), "Beauty and the Beast"(Civic Theatre), "Showboat `(Cape Town, Germany and Norway). SET DESIGN: Stage Magic COSTUME DESIGN: Go Wild: Anne Bailes, Kirsten Bailes Martin Schönberg PUPPETEER: Reinette Fourie SPECIAL EFFECTS /HEADDRESSES: Ingrid McIntosh ARTISTS OF BTA: Yolandi Olckers Thoriso Magongwa Kagiso Mabe Carmen Harris Bathembu Myira Andile Ndlovu Angela Rebelo Bafikile Sedibe Charlene Van Druten Michael Oliphant Natalie Ferreira Samantha Thomas Sibusizo Ngzobo Thabane Ntuli Picture: Yes Submitted by Ballet Theatre Afrikan PR Company: Paola Mundell:Publicist Telephone Number: 011 728 5273 Cellphone Number: 083 644 5150 Client`s name: Ballet Theatre Afrikan Website: http://www.ballettheatreafrikan.co.za |
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