Cape Ballet Africa’s Swan Lake At Montecasino Blends The Best Local And International Talent
Landmark Swan Lake arrives at Montecasino this August, for three weeks only
Cape Ballet Africa (CBA), in association with Global Star Events, brings the world’s most beloved classical ballet, Swan Lake, to the Teatro at Montecasino from Friday, 7 August to Sunday, 23 August. Ballet lovers can enjoy savings of up to 40% on selected performances and ticket categories for a limited time. To celebrate the Women’s Day long weekend, audiences can choose from a 1pm matinee or a 5:30pm evening performance. Tickets are on sale at webtickets.co.za.
The production is choreographed by London-based Georgian Elena Glurjidze, while Paris-born Béjart Ballet Lausanne Principal Dancer Aubin Le Marchand, who arrives in South Africa towards the end of July, and Austrian principal, Solomon Osazuva, join the company in the principal role of Prince Siegfried as guest artists. The season also sees several of CBA’s own artists in the principal roles, including Gabriel Ravenscroft, Joshua Williams, Gabriel Fernandes Da Silva as Prince Siegfried, and Leanè Theunissen, Paige McElligott, Maryana Pobuta and Savannah Ireland as Odette/Odile.
Glurjidze, who will also provide stage direction for the Montecasino run, is a former Lead Principal Ballerina with the English National Ballet (ENB). She has a long personal history with Swan Lake, first dancing as Odette/Odile for the ENB in 2002 and closing out Derek Deane’s Swan Lake at the London Coliseum on 18 January 2015 in the same role. Her repertoire also included principal roles in Giselle, Don Quixote, The Sleeping Beauty, The Nutcracker, Romeo & Juliet, Cinderella, Coppélia, Manon, The Snow Queen, Chopiniana, Etudes and Schéhérazade. Glurjidze owns and directs the Masters of Ballet Academy in London, sending students onwards to the Royal Ballet Upper School (London), Vaganova Academy (St Petersburg) – her own alma mater, Bolshoi Academy (Moscow), Dutch National Ballet School (Amsterdam), Berlin State Ballet School (Berlin) and others. Glurjidze is described as an empathetic motivator, which will stand her in good stead with the 50-strong CBA company.
CBA’s Gabriel Fernandes Da Silva is a native of Brazil and having danced in South Africa for almost seven years, joined Cape Ballet Africa in February 2026. Making his debut as Prince Siegfried at the Teatro, he will partner Savannah Ireland for this season of Swan Lake. The role has a special meaning for Da Silva, who says, “Siegfried isn’t just a fairytale prince; he’s a mirror of my own youth and resilience. At 21, cornered by the pressure of the throne, Prince Siegfried represents the weight of responsibility – it represents an echo of the demands life laid on me from a young age. On stage, I find my refuge in dance, the same freedom I chase when shedding the weight of the everyday grind.”
Born and trained in Pretoria, Leanè Theunissen has previously danced the role of Odile, but she will make her debut in the dual roles of Odette/Odile at the Teatro. The role represents and demands the epitome of technical prowess and skilled storytelling from the ballerina embodying it. Theunissen is partnered by Gabriel Ravenscroft for this season and is enthralled by Swan Lake’s complexity. “I love the duality of light and dark,” she says. “In dancing both Odette and Odile, the challenge is to bring forth a whole range of emotions within the span of two hours. Mistrust, fear, grief, pain, sensuality, guile and strength. These are passions that reside within all of us. The joy of being a performer is presenting the audience with a feeling that awakens their own reality and emotion.”
Guest artist Aubin Le Marchand (who will play Prince Siegfried) trained at the prestigious Paris Opera Ballet School, beginning his professional career with the Croatian National Theatre in Split, where he performed leading roles in Onegin, The Great Gatsby, Romeo and Juliet, Don Quixote and La Esmeralda before joining Tulsa Ballet in the United States. His artistry and technical prowess saw him rise rapidly to the rank of Principal Dancer. He has worked with internationally renowned choreographers including Derek Deane, Angelin Preljocaj, Thierry Malandain, Kenneth Tindall, Leo Mujić and Vasily Medvedev. In 2025, Le Marchand joined Béjart Ballet Lausanne, one of Europe’s foremost contemporary ballet companies, where he continues to expand his international repertoire.
Fellow guest Solomon Osazuva – who previously worked with CBA for the company’s production of Giselle in November 2025 – graduated from the Ballet Academy of the Vienna State Opera. After graduation, he joined the National Theatre Brno, where he quickly rose to perform solo and leading roles. As a freelancer, Osazuva has expanded his repertoire and artistic voice across Europe, appearing as a guest artist with several prominent institutions, including the Bosnian National Theatre and the Slovenian National Theatre.
Cape Ballet Africa’s Swan Lake brings dramatic intensity and elegance from a company celebrated for artistic excellence and expressive storytelling. Tchaikovsky’s masterpiece is bolstered by opulent sets by Michael Mitchell and sumptuous costumes by Marcel Meyer, the team who designed CBA’s double Naledi Award-nominated production of The Nutcracker.
Debbie Turner, CEO and Artistic Director of Cape Ballet Africa, says, “Collaborating with exceptional artists from around the world is an incredible experience for everyone in the company. We inspire one another, learn from each other’s unique talents, and continually challenge each other to reach new heights.”
Simon Bryce, CEO of Global Star Events, can’t wait for the run to begin: “The season extension came early, reflecting the tremendous excitement surrounding Swan Lake in Johannesburg. Audiences can expect a spectacular celebration of the artistry, passion and enduring magic of classical ballet.”
Cape Ballet Africa and Global Star Events’ Swan Lake brings the classic ballet’s intoxicating intrigue and mesmerising elegance back to the stage in Johannesburg. Book now to avoid disappointment! The show is recommended for all ages over five years. Ticket prices range from R220 to R720. Take advantage, book now at webtickets.co.za and save up to 40% for select seats and performances for a limited time only. Contact showgroupbookings@gmail.com for discounted student and group ticketing offers on 20+ tickets for select performances and price categories. Cape Town season details to be announced soon. ENDS
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SHOW INFORMATION
VENUE: Montecasino’s Teatro
DATES & SHOW TIMES:
Strictly limited season from Friday, 7 August to Sunday, 23 August
7 August, 14 August: 19:30
8 August, 9 August, 10 August, 15 August, 16 August, 22 August: 13:00 and 17:30
13 August, 20 August: 19:00
21 August: 15:00
23 August: 13:00
SHOW TIMES:
No Tuesday performances. Check times when booking.
TICKET PRICES including VAT
Category 1: R590 – R720
Category 2: R520 – R620
Category 3: R420 – R520
Category 4: R300 – R420
Category 5: R250 – R320
Category 6 (restricted view): R220
BOOKINGS: webtickets.co.za
Only valid tickets purchased from Webtickets, the exclusive ticketing agent, may be presented.
DISCOUNTED STUDENT GROUPS OF 20+ Contact showgroupbookings@gmail.com
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