After an absence of three and a half years, Giselle, the most sublime of all romantic ballets, returns to the stage of Joburg Theatre when Joburg Ballet presents a season of ten performances of the beloved classic from Friday 4 to Sunday 13 October in association with the Johannesburg Philharmonic Orchestra.

A heartrending story of love so powerful it reaches from beyond the grave, the ballet’s exquisite dancing lays bare a tale of passion, betrayal and forgiveness with one of the greatest of all ballerina roles at its centre.

Joburg Ballet dancers sharing the title role during the season of Giselle are Shannon Glover, Claudia Monja and Monike Cristina who will be joined by French guest artist Anaïs Chalendard who made an acclaimed SA debut earlier this year in Joburg Ballet’s The Sleeping Beauty.

In the leading role of Albrecht, audiences will see Revil Yon (with Glover), Leusson Muniz (with both Monja and Chalendard) and Ruan Galdino (with Cristina).

In addition to the two leading roles of Giselle and Albrecht, the ballet also provides a showcase for dancers in other roles including a massed corps de ballet which appears in the ghostly second act to chilling effect.

Giselle will be staged by Joburg Ballet’s artistic director Iain MacDonald and ballet mistress Lauren Slade while Australian-based SA ballet luminary, former prima ballerina and artistic director Dawn Weller will rehearse and coach the dancers in the leading roles.

Commenting on the return of Giselle to the stage, artistic director Iain MacDonald said: “Visits to the theatre don’t get much more magical than Joburg Ballet’s sublime production of Giselle and with South Africa’s finest dancers on stage, audiences can look forward to a theatre event of breath-taking, unforgettable beauty.”

Giselle opens at Joburg Theatre on Friday 4 October for ten performances, ending on Sunday 13 October. The Johannesburg Philharmonic Orchestra will play for all performances except Wednesday 9 October at 11:00, which will be to a recorded score to facilitate filming of Giselle for release on DVD.

Joburg Ballet offers its usual range of affordable ticket options for Giselle, including 50%-off on Opening Night, two budget-priced Morning Matinees with all seats just R110, and discounts for pensioners and groups.

PERFORMANCE CASTING (Subject to change)
Fri 4 Oct at 19h30: Anaïs Chalendard* and Leusson Muniz
Sat 5 Oct at 15h00: Shannon Glover and Revil Yon
Sat 5 Oct at 19h30: Monike Cristina and Ruan Galdino
Sun 6 Oct at 15h00: Anaïs Chalendard* and Leusson Muniz
Tue 8 Oct at 11h00: Anaïs Chalendard* and Leusson Muniz
Wed 9 Oct at 11h00: Shannon Glover and Revil Yon**
Fri 11 Oct at 19h30: Claudia Monja and Leusson Muniz
Sat 12 Oct at 15h00: Monike Cristina and Ruan Galdino
Sat 12 Oct at 19h30: Claudia Monja and Leusson Muniz
Sun 13 Oct at 15h00: Shannon Glover and Revil Yon
*Guest artist
**All performances accompanied by the Johannesburg Philharmonic Orchestra except Wed 9 Oct.

BOOKING INFORMATION

Dates, Times, Prices:

Fri 4 Oct at 19:30 – Half Price: R110, R152, R207, R226, R262

Sat 5 Oct, Fri 11 Oct, Sat 12 Oct at 19:30; Sat 5 Oct, Sun 6 Oct, Sat 12 Oct, Sun 13 Oct at 15:00 – Standard Prices: R220, R303, R413, R451, R523

Tue 8 Oct & Wed 9 Oct at 11:00 – All tickets R110 (Wed 9 Oct at 11:00 to recorded music)

Where: Joburg Theatre, Braamfontein (GPS -26.191316, 28.038519)

Book now: At Joburg Theatre Box Office; or tel. 0861 670 670; or online at www.joburgtheatre.com or www.webtickets.co.za

Patrons can also book and pay via the Nedbank app and at selected Pick n Pay stores (full list at www.webtickets.co.za/pnpoutlets.aspx)

Keep up to date with the company on their social media platforms;

Facebook, Twitter, Instagram and LinkedIn: @JoburgBallet, #jbGiselle or online at www.joburgballet.com

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