WeeklySA_AdminADAPTATION: Veteran choreographer Veronica Paeper returns to one of her most celebrated works as Joburg Ballet brings the tale of passion, possession and freedom to Johannesburg and Pretoria…
By Jacob Mawela
Thirty-nine years after first choreographing Carmen in 1987, acclaimed South African choreographer and former dancer Veronica Paeper is returning to the fiery ballet for a new season in Johannesburg and Pretoria.
The Cape Town-based dance veteran is collaborating with Joburg Ballet to revive the production for 12 performances between September 25 and October 25.
When Paeper first staged the work, South Africa was still gripped by apartheid. Now, at the age of 82, she is presenting it in a democratic country with Joburg Ballet’s multiracial company of contemporary dancers — a reflection of how far the local ballet industry has travelled.
During the earlier years of Paeper’s career, dancers of colour such as the celebrated Johaar Mosaval were rare in South Africa’s classical ballet companies. Today, Joburg Ballet is working to make the art form more accessible to dancers and audiences from diverse backgrounds.
Speaking during a break from intensive rehearsals at Joburg Theatre, Paeper reflected on her journey from dancing with companies including CAPAB and PACT to becoming one of South Africa’s most prolific choreographers.
Although she trained under ballet pioneer Dulcie Howes at the University of Cape Town Ballet School, Paeper identifies dancer, choreographer and teacher David Poole as the person who had the most profound influence on her career. He would ultimately become the catalyst for her move into choreography. Paeper received the Molteno Gold Medal in 2005 in recognition of her lifetime achievements in the performing arts. She is also a co-founder of the South African National Dance Trust, a non-profit organisation established to promote dance through performance, education and employment opportunities.
Her enduring passion was evident as she put Joburg Ballet’s dancers through their paces with the assistance of Ballet Mistress Kim Vieira and Associate Ballet Mistress Nicole Ferreira-Dill.
Paeper also praised Joburg Ballet’s efforts to open the industry to more dancers of colour, including Soweto-raised corps de ballet dancer Mokoena, while keeping its performances affordable for a wider audience. At the heart of Carmen is a woman who refuses to be owned and the destructive passions unleashed by those who attempt to possess her. Carmen yearns for freedom, while Don José wants to hold on to her at any cost.
Leading the cast will be Joburg Ballet principal dancers Revil Yon — the country’s only South African male principal dancer — and Brazilian-born Monike Cristina. The pair will bring their dramatic intensity and experience to the roles of Don José and Carmen.
Ryoko Yagyu and Ivan Domiciano will make their debuts in the leading roles, while the new partnership of Darragh Hourrides and Bruno Miranda is expected to bring fresh energy and theatrical vitality to the production. Mokoena, together with Chloe Blair, Gabriella Ghiaroni, Mario Gaglione, Miles Carrott and Miguel Franco-Green, forms part of the new generation entrusted with carrying Paeper’s Carmen legacy forward.
The story began as an 1845 novella by French writer Prosper Mérimée. Composer Georges Bizet transformed it into an opera in 1875, before choreographers began interpreting its music and drama through dance. Roland Petit produced the first full-length ballet adaptation in 1949.
Joburg Theatre will host 10 performances from September 25 to October 4. The production will then move to the State Theatre in Pretoria for two performances on October 24 and 25.
Tickets are available through Webtickets. More information about Joburg Ballet’s 25th anniversary season is available at www.joburgballet.com.
