A SPARTACUS of AFRICA

I had the opportunity of watching this incredible ballet on the 27th June at the Artscape Theatre.  The ballet was extraordinary with a cast of young talented ballet students.  Music by Aram Khachaturian was conductored by Paul Hoskins and the Cape Town Philharmonic Orchestra.

In the ballet Spartacus is a king of Thrace and is enslaved with his queen, Phrygia.  A battle in the arena in which Spartacus kills his friend enrages him, spurring him to lead a rebellion.  Among the fictional characters is Crassus’s social climbing mistress, Aegina, a pivotal character who brings down the rebels.  There is a single combat between Crassus and Spartacus in which Spartacus spares the life of Crassus.  Spartacus has the largest cast of dancers and extras, which made for great drama and tense atmosphere adding to the high quality of dancing.  A lasting impression was made with the chilling battle of masked gladiators in the arena that leaves Spartacus alive and alone.   The production was a great success and has been repeated a number of times since its premiere.  I thoroughly enjoyed the ballet and the intense planning, choreographing, designing can be seen in this spectacular performance.  Definately a MUST-SEE!!

The show is at the Artscape Opera House and runs from the 27th June 2015 till 12th July 2015.