Ballet has always had a certain mystique. The elegance, the athleticism, the sheer emotional power that can be conveyed without a single word spoken—it’s why audiences keep coming back to it, century after century. Now, The Drama Factory is about to witness something extraordinary as Cape Ballet Africa returns with a brand-new programme that will only run for six performances, from 10 to 14 September.
This isn’t just a night at the ballet—it’s two worlds colliding in one evening. Audiences will be treated to Petite Giselle, a selection of exquisite highlights from Maina Gielgud’s beloved romantic classic, paired with SALT-ed, the sizzling triple bill featuring Michelle Reid’s Smoke and Kirsten Isenberg’s new pas de deux, Nocturne, which premiered earlier this year on the international stage at the prestigious Benois de la Danse Awards 2025.
Two Balets, One Stage, Limitless Emotion
Petite Giselle delivers all the heart and heartbreak of the timeless tale of love, betrayal, and redemption. Maina Gielgud—a globally renowned choreographer whose career spans Sadler’s Wells Royal Ballet, Scottish Ballet, Australian Ballet, Ballet Nacional de Cuba, and more—brings her signature mastery to the stage, guiding Cape Ballet Africa’s dancers through the distilled essence of one of ballet’s greatest works.
But just as you’ve been swept away by delicate Romantic lines, SALT-ed ignites the stage with raw energy. Michelle Reid’s Smoke is everything its title suggests: smouldering, playful, and dangerously alive. Dance Europe’s Maggie Foyer described it best: “A smouldering, jazzy piece… witty, with a clever play of dynamics to build a head of steam.” Alongside it, Isenberg’s Nocturne makes its South African debut—a haunting pas de deux that has already stirred international acclaim.
The result? A double bill that promises to keep audiences entranced, challenged, and utterly captivated.
Cape Ballet Africa: Rooted in Tradition, Powered by Innovation
Cape Ballet Africa is no ordinary company. Founded in 2024 by Debbie Turner—one of South Africa’s most respected dance figures—it stands at the intersection of heritage and reinvention. The company honours the discipline of classical ballet while weaving in the cultural richness and boldness of South African identity.
In just its first year, Cape Ballet Africa has made waves on the global stage. Mthuthuzeli November’s Chapter 2 from their inaugural triple bill, SALT, won Best Choreography at the Benois de la Danse, with dancer Joshua Williams sharing Best Male Dancer with the Bolshoi Theatre’s Dmitry Smilevskiy. Camille Bracher earned a nomination for Best Female Dancer, while the company itself has already secured recognition at the Klein Karoo Nasionale Kunstefees and beyond.
This is ballet not as a museum piece but as a living, breathing artform that embraces its African context while holding its own in the international arena.
Six Shows Only—Why You Can’t Miss It
Petite Giselle & SALT-ed isn’t a touring marathon. It’s a carefully crafted experience staged for only six performances at The Drama Factory:
- 10, 11, 12 September at 19:00
- 13 September at 14:00 & 18:00
- 14 September at 16:00
Tickets are R280, available at The Drama Factory’s site.
The venue itself adds to the magic: intimate, warm, and equipped with a fully licensed bar, it’s the kind of theatre space where every seat feels personal. Thanks to its solar-powered inverter, the show goes on even during load-shedding—a detail every South African theatre-goer can appreciate.
Looking Ahead
Petite Giselle & SALT-ed is just the beginning of an ambitious season for Cape Ballet Africa. From SALT at Theatre on the Bay in September, to Maina Gielgud’s full Giselle at The Baxter in November, to The Nutcracker at Teatro Montecasino in December, and beyond—this company is mapping a future where African ballet stands shoulder-to-shoulder with the world’s great stages.
As Debbie Turner notes:
“We are honoured to have Ms Gielgud with us to stage her full production of Giselle in November. It’s a joy to share these highlights now, knowing the journey has only just begun.”
Final Curtain Call
Six performances. Two ballets. One unmissable experience. Cape Ballet Africa is offering South African audiences the rare chance to witness a fusion of tradition and innovation, the classical and the contemporary, the familiar and the daring.
If you’ve ever wondered what the future of ballet in Africa looks like, this is it. And it’s happening at The Drama Factory, but only for a few nights in September.
Book your seat. Experience the magic. Let the dance speak for itself.
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