Why we have to save the ballet in Johannesburg
NEWS that the South African Ballet Theatre (SABT) is in trouble is very sad but, perhaps, not surprising. Whole banks have vanished in this recession and a struggling ballet company at the bottom of Africa could hardly be expected to escape the storm.
The SABT is what was once PACT. Its dancers, jobless when the state closed PACT down, formed their own company. It is hard to describe what a feat that must have been for people utterly removed from business in their day to day vocation.
For the last decade though the SABT has been able to bring world class ballet to Johannesburg and to provide unbelievable learning opportunities to children in Alexandra.
Now they are in a financial hole. They need R2m to keep going at the rate they have been after some big sponsors withdrew funding. One of those was FNB, which has its eye only on a successful SWC next year. Surely this can be done? These people are not rich or stuck up and they work damn hard. A principle dancer earns less than R15 000 a month.
The thing about ballet that we lose as a country if the SABT goes down is discipline in dance. Some folk say its “eurocentric” and stuff like that but they need to get over themselves. Ballet prepares you for a life in dance the way a good piano grounding prepares you for a life as a musician. It is the very essence of any dance.
Can we not keep it going in Johannesburg? Here’s an email I got from the SABT the other day. Read it, pass it on and, please, act on it. Become a friend of the SABT. It won’t cost you much.
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THE PERFECT CHRISTMAS GIFT: A DOUBLE DEAL FROM THE SOUTH AFRICAN BALLET THEATRE
On November 10 2009, The South African Ballet Theatre (SABT) announced that although debt-free, it is facing severe financial challenges and, if substantial immediate funding is not found, then the Board will have to take robust action to preserve the integrity of the Company.
Despite these trying times, SABT is determined to continue presenting world class productions and is therefore pleased to announce a special early-bird double deal on ticket prices to two of its seasons for 2010 – the ideal Christmas gift for ballet lovers!
Patrons who book for both SABT’s Swan Lake and their Carmen season at the Joburg Theatre will pay a lower combined-rate price for their tickets.
The first season is the world’s best – known ballet, Swan Lake. The Swan Lake season will be performed at the Joburg Theatre, Braamfontein from March 12 to April 4 2010. Dating back to 1876, the tragic love story of the swan maiden Odette and Prince Siegfried has proved itself to be the one of the most endearing ballets in the repertoire with audiences around the world. The South African Ballet Theatre’s production will take its cue from the traditional Petipa version of the ballet whilst incorporating fresh elements tailored to suit the Company. The ballet will have a shorter running time and there will be only one interval.
Wednesday and Thursday evening performances of SABT’s 2010 Joburg Theatre seasons will start at 19h30 instead of the usual 20h00, to enable patrons to have an enjoyable night at the theatre yet not get home too late during the week.
A Swan Lake Open Day will be presented on Saturday 27 February 2010, starting at 10h00 and ending at 13h00. Open Days at the SABT’s Braamfontein studios are a rare opportunity for the public to catch a glimpse into the behind the scenes preparations for a season.
Booking for Open Day are already open with Mr Edgar Moagi on + 27 11 877 6898 or email admin@saballettheatre.co.za. The cost is R60 per person.
The ballet Carmen returns to Johannesburg, after a seven year absence, from August 13 to 29 2010. The fiery saga of Carmen and Don José comes to the stage in a sensual version by acclaimed Cape Town choreographer Veronica Paeper. Set to Bizet’s famous music score, Paeper’s ballet explores the volatile relationship between the streetwise Carmen and young officer Don José who loses his heart to Carmen. Paeper’s Carmen captures the passion of southern Spain in a ballet highlighted by spectacular pas de deux for the principal dancers plus showpieces for the corps de ballet of matadors, smugglers, fiesta ladies and gypsies.
A Carmen Open Day will be presented on Saturday 31 July 2010, from 10h00 to 13h00. The cost is R60 per person
Booking for both Open Days as well as the combined ticket offer for Swan Lake and Carmen seasons are open with Mr Moagi on + 27 11 877 6898 or email admin@saballettheatre.co.za.
General bookings for Swan Lake and Carmen are open through Computicket and include 10% discounts for block bookings of ten tickets or more, plus student and pensioner discounts upon presentation of a valid student or pensioner’s card.
For further information, please visit www.saballettheatre.co.za or www.computicket.co.za”
Come on folks. Let’s fix this thing!
Cheers
Popularity: 21% [?]
November 27th, 2009 at 7:54 pm
Thank you for a thoroughly down-to earth approach to the whole financial problem facing SABT. As a family member, I know just how hard this company has worked to get to their present position after almost nine years. Their standard is incredibly high and I am saying this having seen overseas productions both live and on videos. Their interpretation of “The Nutcracker” brought to life many aspects of the ballet which I had not understood before.
Their out-reach programme attempts to take dance to as many underprivileged children as possible, but what is the point of teaching them to dance if there is no goal to aspire to? It would be like closing down the Springboks, the Proteas and Bafana Bafana but insisting that money is poured into these sports at school level. Of course, the professionals would also be forced to leave the country, never to return.
The highly talented and successful few do make it into a company after many years of training, but for the majority who have attended dance classes, it gives them grace, poise, discipline, determination and teachers have said that they show far better concentration on their studies. They also become the audiences of the future.
People of Gauteng, you are so fortunate to have a Ballet Company. unlike us in KZN.
Please cherish it and realise that this is one of the few forms of entertainment available today that does not need a S,V or L rating and that lifts your spirits and gives you hope for a better tomorrow.
November 29th, 2009 at 12:06 am
EUROCENTRIC: “Centered or focused on Europe or European peoples, especially in relation to historical, social, traditional or cultural influence”
Quite amazing… those same politicians and business leaders that complain about ballet in South Africa being “eurocentric” all drive German automobiles, all wear bespoke English or Italian suits, all follow football to the extreme, some of them have become fans of both cricket and rugby, all drink French champagne as status symbol, all consume vast amounts of the finest Scotch and Irish whiskey. And they speak the English language in all multi-billion deals (most of which are corrupt to be able to afford the abovementioned).
You are SO correct Mr Bruce… they MUST get over themselves!
Is this misused term “Eurocentric” such a bad thing? Really????
November 29th, 2009 at 12:35 am
HE President Zuma, Minister Lulu Xingwana, Members of the Lottery Board, THE Mr/Dr/Prof Malema and Fellow Comrades (AKA those that despise all things Eurocentric)
In Respect…. Please add to your diary the following events:
With African Celebrations, of course:
Hand over your European vehicles, hand over your European suits, hand over your European shoes, hand over your Cuban cigars, hand over your Georgian-style SA homes and your South-Of-France villas, cancel your Swiss bank accounts, slaughter a cow on your Sandhurst property (with the finest French knives of course) and then lets talk AFROCENTRIC !!!
PS: The dancers at these events would be much better, and would receive more TV coverage, had they had classical ballet and formal dance tuition.
Sincerely
Johnny W Black (though mostly Blue)
November 30th, 2009 at 9:44 am
There are fantastic ballet companies in China, Japan, Korea, Cuba. They don’t care about the Eurocentric tag, simply recognising the craft for what it is. Interestingly, Fidel Castro insisted on the establishment of a ballet company in Cuba, precisely for the value of the disciplined all-round training in music, the arts and movement that ballet brings. It produces excellent dancers, and receives state funding.
And as for the comments from some quarters (the National Arts Council for example) that the Company does not have enough black dancers, this would not be an issue if the dancers received better pay! SABT has lost some of their most talented black (male!) dancers to shows like The Lion King, which pay well.