Liaoning Ballet and Joburg Ballet dancers weave their magic in Swan Lake Photos: Francisco Little

Liaoning Ballet and Joburg Ballet dancers weave their magic in Swan Lake

A gala performance of the balletSwan Lakejointly presented by Joburg Ballet of South Africa and the Liaoning Ballet of China debuted at the Joburg Theater, in Johannesburg, South Africa, on April 17. 

Supported by China's Ministry of Culture and South Africa's Department of Arts and Culture,the sparkling event was the premiere of 21 joint performances the two ballet companies staged in Johannesburg and Bloemfontein in South Africa from April 17 to May 9, 2015 tomark the Year of China in South Africa. 

A troupe of 21 Liaoning Ballet dancers, including China's top male dancer Lu Meng, and rising stars such as Yu Chuanya, Zhang Haidong and Ma Ming, have joined forces with Joburg Ballet dancers in the performance season. 

The inaugural performance featured a mix of Joburg Ballet dancers and Liaoning Ballet dancers in the leading roles and ensemble pieces. Later performances will see the dancers interchanging roles. Joburg Ballet's visiting ballet dancers from Cuba and the U.S. will also be part of the performances. 

Tian Xuejun, ChineseAmbassador to South Africa, South African National Assembly SpeakerBaleka Mbete,South African Tourism Minister Derek Hanekom,and Rejoice Mabudafhasi, South African Deputy Minister of the Department of Arts and Culture, were present at the opening performance. 

In 2014, Joburg Ballet toured China and performed with Chinese ballet dancers at the closing ceremony of the Year of South Africa in China. 

Reciprocating Joburg Ballet's visit to China for the Year of South Africa in China in 2014, the Liaoning Ballet arrived in Johannesburg early in April to join forces with Joburg Ballet for the grandest production of Swan Lake yet seen in South Africa. 

The Liaoning Ballet, founded in 1980, is one of China's major ballet companies with a strong classical technique and repertoire, including Swan Lake, The Sleeping Beauty,Le Corsaire, Don Quixote, The Nutcracker, Les Sylphides,Giselle, andLa fille mal gardée. It has also produced Chinese themed ballets, such asLiang Shanbo and Zhu Yingtaiand modern balletThe Last Emperor.  

The company tours extensively, performing and taking part in professional dance competitions every year in Europe, Australia, Japan, Cuba, Russia and Canada.  

SWAN LAKESEASON: FAST FACTS

WHEN: Fri 17 Apr at 7:30pm; Sat 18 Apr at 3pm & 7:30pm (Half Price Night); Sun 19 Apr at 3pm; Tue 21 Apr at 11am; Fri 24 Apr at 7:30pm; Sat 25 Apr 3pm & 7:30pm; Sun 26 Apr at 11am & 3pm; Tue 28 Apr at 11am; Fri 1 May at 7:30pm; Sat 2 May at 3pm & 7:30pm; Sun 3 May at 3pmWHERE: Joburg Theater, BraamfonteinSTANDARD TICKETS: R100 – R400BOOKING: Joburg Theater/ 0861 670 670 /http://www.joburgtheatre.com/OPEN DAY: Saturday 27 March 10am to 1pm; R100; to book call Edgar on 011-877 6898 or emailedgar@joburgballet.com 

SWAN LAKEFAST FACTS: 

WHEN:Fri 17 Apr at 7:30pm; Sat 18 Apr at 3:00pm & 7:30pm (Half Price Night); Sun 19 Apr at 3:00pm; Tue 21 Apr at 11:00am; Fri 24 Apr at 7:30pm; Sat 25 Apr 3:00pm & 7:30pm; Sun 26 Apr at 11:00am & 3:00pm; Tue 28 Apr at 11:00am; Fri 1 May at 7:30pm; Sat 2 May at 3:00pm & 7:30pm; Sun 3 May at 3:00pm;Thu 7 May at 7:30pm; Fri 8 May at 7:30pm; Sat 9 May at 2:30pm & 7:30pm 

WHERE:Joburg Theater, Braamfontein

Sand Du Plessis Theater, Bloemfontein 

STANDARD TICKETS:R100 – R400 

BOOKING:Joburg Theater/ 0861 670 670 /

http://www.joburgballet.com/swanlake