SCENE IT: Mesmerising ballet BREATHWORDS at Artscape

Barbara Loots

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Cape Ballet Africa’s BREATHWORDS features two choreographies by international creators, presented alongside an expanded version of South African choreographer, Kirsten Isenberg’s Reverie. This impressive ballet offering is onstage at the Artscape Theatre for a very short run until 27 March 2025.

Leanè Theunissen in Wubkje Kuindersma's whispers from within in Cape Ballet Africa's triple bill BREATHWORDS. Photo by Paul Seaby.

The programme opens with the world premiere of whispers from within, choreographed by renowned Dutch choreographer Wubkje Kuindersma. It is set to Max Richter’s recomposition of ‘Summer and Spring’ of Vivaldi’s Four Seasons. On opening, the nerves of some of the dancers shone through a bit at the start of this piece, but these soon settled into a rather dynamic performance that beautifully embraces gender fluidity in both costume and movement. Though the full company oozes with talented dancers, all deserving of praise, the energy of Joshua Williams and Leane Theunnissen is something rather magical to behold.

This is followed by the exciting REMANSO, choreographed by Nacho Duato.  This was my favourite on the night. This offering is equal parts playful and sensual with a quirkiness that gives it an added charm. Set to the beautiful music by Spanish composer Enrique Grandos, it showcases the talents of Jan Kótze, Joshua Williams and Thomas Guigovaz. It appears to be rather simplistic in its delivery and presentation, but that appearance is deceptive, as the performance in fact requires great power and restraint.

Nacho Duato's REMANSO in Cape Ballet Africa's triple bill BREATHWORDS. Photo by Paul Seaby.

The BREATHWORDS triple bill concludes with an extended version of Kirsten Isenberg’s Reverie. A shorter concept version was previously performed and is now amplified in further celebration of the ethereal vision that is exquisitely set to Rachmaninoff’s Piano Concerto No. 2. In Reverie you are seduced and left bemused by the pas de trois performance of Mia Coomber, Gabrial Ravenscroft and Jan Kótze.

Though BREATHWORDS has no large sets to play off of, it doesn’t need it and shows that magic can be made when you have the winning recipe that combines talent, passion and intuitive lighting.

Gabriel Ravenscroft, Mia Coomber & Jan Kotzé in Kirsten Isenberg’s Reverie, in Cape Ballet Africa's triple bill BREATHWORDS Photo by Paul Seaby.

I thought I would be holding my breath throughout BREATHWORDS in awe of the sheer magic of the power of the Cape Ballet Africa company, as was the case with their previous triple bill, SALT. Though still utterly impressive, with this showcase, it was actually the opposite: I found myself so mesmerised that it was rather a case of being invited to exhale and simply enjoy the chance to be entertained by pure talent and skill.

You have until 27 March 2025 to catch the Cape Ballet Africa presented BREATHWORDS at the Artscape Theatre. Tickets can be booked online through Webtickets.