New studio for ballet company

Cape Ballet Africa moved into its new studio at the Sports Science Institute of South Africa just two weeks shy of the ballet company’s first birthday.

Speaking at the opening of the studio in Newlands last Wednesday, Debbie Turner, who founded Cape Ballet Africa in March last year, said it was a conversation one of her dancers had had at a family function with someone from the institute that had set the wheels in motion for the new studio.

“Three-and-a-half months ago, we sat in this wrecked space wondering how exactly we would be able to convert it into a ballet studio. And here we are today,” she said, thanking donors for their support.

The company’s 2025 programme includes the premiere of a new triple bill, BREATHWORDS, which makes its debut at the Artscape Opera House from Tuesday March 25 to Thursday March 27; a touring programme; and Maina Gielgud’s Giselle in November.

Other plans for the first quarter of the year include a presentation of Mthuthuzeli November’s Chapter 2 on Friday February 28 and Saturday March 1 at Jazzart Dance Theatre’s inaugural Meraki Dance Festival; performances at RMB Starlight Classics at Vergelegen Wine Estate as well as presenting SALT at the Klein Karoo Nasionale Kunstefees on Tuesday April 1 and Wednesday April 2.

“To have this ideally-placed studio as our base from which to create is a dream come true,” said Ms Turner.

The institute’s CEO, Dr Mandla Moyo, said: “We are excited that Cape Ballet Africa is starting a new journey with us that will positively impact even more lives and deeply enrich the human experience.”

Cape Ballet Africa’s line-up for the year also features the world premiere of Whispers From Within, choreographed by Wubkje Kuindersma, set to Summer and Spring of Vivaldi’s Four Seasons recomposed by Max Richter. Completing the programme is Nacho Duato’s REMANSO, a project made possible with the support of the Embassy of Spain in Pretoria and the Spanish Consulate in Cape Town.