Ballet lovers certainly have something to look forward to this September. Cape Ballet launches its inaugural season at The Baxter Theatre on 21 September, showcasing new work by a trio of revered South African choreographers.
Titled SALT, this production features a triple bill of ballets by Kirsten Isenberg, multiple award-winning choreographer Mthuthuzeli November and Michelle Reid in a programme that prioritises the commissioning and creation of new South African choreographic works.
Principal dancer, Camille Bracher, who is Jewish, comes to Cape Town after a long stint with the Royal Ballet from 2010-2018. Her career includes numerous performances in destinations around the world, and she graduated from the Royal Academy of Dance Professional Dancers’ Teaching Course with a distinction in August 2018.
The Cape Jewish Chronicle caught up with Camille recently, and she shared her thoughts with us:
Q. What is it like to have been part of this new company?
A. It has been very special to be part of the formation of Cape Ballet Africa. It is a unique opportunity to be a founding member of a brand-new company – to experience its growth from the inside. It is the first time I have been a part of a company in South Africa after dancing in London for many years and then hanging up my pointe shoes during Covid. I feel very happy to reconnect to the dance world here. It is exciting to join a company that is charged with passion, inspiration and a communal eagerness to contribute something new and exciting to the South African dance world.
Q. What are you most looking forward to in performing Sir Kenneth MacMillan’s Concerto pas de deux with Ballett Zürich’s Brandon Lawrence in the SALT programme?
A. Concerto has always been on my dance bucket list. It is a pure and poetic pas de deux that requires a solid partnership for the intricate lifts and delicate transitions. Brandon is a strong and experienced dancer who is a dream partner for this pas de deux. I am so excited to be performing this work with him as his strength, co-ordination and instinctive partnering skills help me immerse myself in the sublime choreography and music.
Q. What do you hope audiences will take away from experiencing SALT?
A. The show should take you on a journey just as it does for me and the other dancers! Each piece will evoke an array of emotions as you watch them unfold. From the gentle, dream-like scenes of Reverie to the spice of Smoke, the show will leave you feeling exhilarated and elated. I hope that the audiences leave feeling inspired and excited for the future of dance in South Africa.
Q. What advice would you give to aspiring young dancers?
A. Passion, discipline and drive – three essential ingredients for ballet dancers. Ballet requires huge dedication and commitment so my biggest piece of advice would be to hold onto your passion and let that passion drive you to keep pushing yourself to grow and improve. Never forget that it is an incredible gift to be able to perform in front of an audience and transport them into a different realm!
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Another Jewish dancer carving out a career in Cape Town is Gia Lipschitz, who is an Apprentice at Cape Ballet Africa. Just before turning sixteen years old, she joined Cape Ballet Africa in an apprentice role.
Born in Johannesburg, Gia started dancing at the age of four. Her parents thought she had ‘too much energy’ and they decided that this was a good way for her to use it. She was dancing around at home trying to go up onto her toes before she was even put into a ballet class. She immediately fell in love with ballet.
Gia participated in many international contests as a student such as Youth America Grand Prix where she won 1st place in the classical category; the Cuban International Ballet Competition where she won both the classical and contemporary gold medal as well as the Revelacion Del Concurso award; and The Dance Open America where she won the Grand Prix.
Gia has danced roles such as Swanhilda in Coppelia, Clara in The Nutcracker and performed a variety of repertoire for galas internationally.
Gia says, “It has been a wonderful experience to be an apprentice at Cape Ballet Africa. I have made many discoveries and I’m excited and curious to keep exploring and developing as an artist, pushing to my limits.
“For aspiring dancers, I would say the most important thing is to love what you do and to learn as much as you can because these lessons that you learn in the studio are invaluable and will stay with you throughout your life.”
| SALT will be performed from 21 September until 28 September in the Pam Golding Theatre at The Baxter. Bookings can be made at Webtickets. |
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