Review: A Night at the Ballet
Vuvu Rating: 8/10
The Joburg Ballet is proving yet again why it is considered the country’s largest and most prestigious professional ballet company, with its latest offering, the classic Don Quixote.
The romantic comedy is masterfully staged at the Joburg Theatre through vibrant costumes and scenery transporting the viewer into the world of 17th century Spain.
Don Quixote tells the story of a Don who is obsessed with finding adventure. On his quest for this adventure he meets the beautiful Kitri who is in love with a poor young barber, Basilio.
Kitri’s father does not approve of the match and has more ambitious marriage plans for her. The Don decides that Kitri is worth of his protection from all who may harm the young lady.
Prima-ballerina Burnise Silvius lived up to her reputation of being a vision of perfection, with every delicate move she made in the lead female role.
Jean Carlos Osma, as a toreador, and Javier Monier as a street boy, were notable as standout performers.
But despite the visual perfection of the dancers, their performances were not matched by that of the sound technicians at the theatre.
At times the music was too soft and transitions between tracks, usually seemless, were obvious to the audience. The sound issues were clearly distracting and broke the “illusion” of the imaginary world created through the performance.
Despite this though, the show remains a must see, and ends its run this Sunday, September 13.
