CARMEN’s Cape Town City Ballet production by Veronica Paeper returns to Artscape in overwhelming demand. It will be presented from September 28 to October 2 for only seven performances.

Reservations open at Computicket on Wednesday September 22, with priority reservation already open to Friends of the Ballet through the Artscape ticket office.

Seating at the Opera Artscape will be strictly limited to 250 seats due to social distancing and government regulations. All COVID-19 regulations will be in place, including social distancing and wearing masks for entry.

“With such a limited number of seats during our recent short-term sell-out, many clients didn’t have the chance to experience this magnificent South African production from the powerful creative team of choreographer Veronica Paeper, designer Peter Cazalet and lighting designer Wilhelm Disbergen, “said Debbie Turner, CEO of the Cape Town City Ballet.

“We are therefore delighted to have the opportunity to return on stage for an additional seven performances with an increased number of seats. However, space is still extremely limited, so I encourage customers to book in advance. “

On Georges Bizet’s famous dramatic score, CARMEN will be performed on a recording by the Cape Town Philharmonic Orchestra. Inspired by the romantic novel by Prosper Mérimée from 1845, CARMEN is the ultimate tale of love, passion, betrayal and revenge.

Carmen is a fiery gypsy who hypnotizes and seduces a young soldier, Don José. He gives up everything for her, abandoning his childhood sweetheart and deserting his military duties. However, Carmen’s free spirit will not be tamed, and her infidelity to her leads to tragic results.

“I was really thrilled when Debbie Turner invited me to perform Carmen, a ballet that I consider one of my best efforts,” says Veronica Paeper. “Bringing this wonderfully wild, passionate and headstrong gypsy back to life has been a real challenge in these trying times, a challenge that I relished. Along with the dedicated dancers and all of the CTCB staff – artistic, administrative and stage – I believe that created a wonderful evening of entertainment for us. I certainly enjoyed producing the Ballet. “

CARMEN is one of more than 40 ballets, including 16 integral works, which were choreographed by Paeper, who began her creative portfolio in 1972. She choreographed her first production of CARMEN in 1987 for Capab. His production of A CHRISTMAS CAROL – THE STORY OF SCROOGE for Cape Town City Ballet was sold out and critically acclaimed in December 2019, and will be resumed in December.

Paeper received her ballet training under the tutelage of Dulcie Howes at UCT Ballet School, where she also studied with David Poole, Pamela Chrimes and Frank Staff. Staff, whom she married in 1966, and from whom she drew and continues to draw great inspiration, will have a profound influence on her work as a choreographer.

During her performing career, Paeper became a principal dancer in three South African companies: Capab Ballet, Pact Ballet and Pacofs Ballet.

Paeper served as artistic director and resident choreographer of Capab from 1990, and Cape Town City Ballet from 1997 to 2005. She led the company on her first international tour of a South African ballet company in 1994.

Paeper’s first work, created for Capab Ballet in the early 1970s, was John the Baptist, a dramatic one-act ballet set to music by Ernest Bloch. It featured sets and costumes designed by Peter Cazalet, an innovative and witty artist who will remain Paeper’s most frequent artistic collaborator for the next 25 years.

Founded as the Nico Malan Theater in 1971, the Artscape building is celebrating its 50th anniversary this year. CARMEN is featured as part of Artscape’s celebrations for National Women’s Day, which runs throughout August and includes the 15th annual Female Humanity Arts Festival.

The recommended age for CARMEN is PG 10 years.

CARMEN will be presented from Tuesday September 28 to Saturday October 2 at 7:30 p.m., with mornings on Thursday September 30 and Saturday October 2 at 3:00 p.m.

Tickets cost from R250 to R350. For the performance on Thursday, September 30 at 3:00 p.m. only, there will be a special pensioner’s ticket for patrons aged 60 and over.

Reservations can be made at Artscape Dial-a-seat 021 421 7695 or via Computicket starting Wednesday, September 22 (priority booking for Friends of the Ballet is already open through the Artscape box office).