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The Nutcracker

Advertorial:
The Nutcracker:

Cape Ballet Africa and Global Star Events are proud to announce international stars of world ballet to perform in the December 2025 season of The Nutcracker at Teatro, Montecasino.

Presented by Global Star Events in association with Cape Ballet Africa, a brand-new production of The Nutcracker opens at Montecasino’s Teatro on 4 December, running until Sunday, 21 December 2025.     This magical holiday classic features South Africa’s top classical ballet talent alongside acclaimed international guest artists. Together, they bring Tchaikovsky’s timeless score to life in a dazzling spectacle of dance, music, and festive enchantment. Tickets are on sale at Webtickets.co.za.

Denis Cherevychko:

For over a decade Denis danced with Austria’s leading company company Vienna State Ballet. He has performed the leading male roles in all of ballet’s classics including Swan Lake, Don Quixote, Giselle and The Nutcracker. He has undertaken guest performances for some of the world’s major dance companies including Paris Opera Ballet, Teatro San Carlo (Italy) and Hungarian National Ballet. Denis’ career has seen him perform in London, Berlin, Moscow, North America and his hometown Kyiv, Ukraine. Denis is thrilled to make his South African debut in Cape Ballet Africa’s The Nutcracker.

Arthur Wille:

Brazillian born, 25 year old Arthur is the rising star of UK’s London City Ballet. Since joining the prestigious international company Arthur has danced major roles in Giselle, Raymonda, Don Quixote and Le Corsaire. The winner of numerous dance accolades, Arthur was awarded Best Dancer at Brazil’s Festival Arte Minas in 2021. Cape Ballet Africa’s The Nutcracker will mark Arthur’s first time performing on the African continent.

Creative Team:

Staged by renowned London-based choreographer Maina Gielgud and with magnificent sets designed by Michael Mitchell, this timeless ballet captures the wonder and joy of the festive spirit.

Maina Gielgud is a hugely experienced choreographer. She has danced with companies around the world, including Sadlers Wells Royal Ballet, Scottish Ballet, Australian Ballet, Ballet Nacional de Cuba, CAPAB, PACT, and the London Festival Ballet. She was also the director/associate director of the Australian Ballet, Royal Danish Ballet, and Houston Ballet. Michael Mitchell’s designs for productions including Madama Butterfly, Carmen, A Midsummer Night’s Dream, The Magic Flute, Porgy and Bess, and Mandela Trilogy have been enjoyed by audiences in, among other places, the London Coliseum, the Teatro Real Madrid, the Teatro Colón in Buenos Aires, and the Maifestspiele in Wiesbaden.

The Nutcracker: A Ballet That Danced Its Way Across the World:

Theatre doors always open wide to welcome audiences into ballet’s world of magic and music. The Nutcracker, has become a beloved holiday tradition across the globe. With its universal themes of wonder, imagination, and childhood dreams, Tchaikovsky’s classic transcends the seasons and continents.

Audiences will witness a transformation from a Christmas Eve ball to a world of dancing snowflakes, the Kingdom of Sweets, and be enchanted by this classic tale of the courageous Nutcracker Prince as he battles to save his Princess. Dazzling choreography and stunning costumes complement the magnificent music, creating a truly unforgettable, fantastical experience. From the iconic “Dance of the Sugar Plum Fairy” to the vibrant “Waltz of the Flowers,” every moment is a visual feast for the senses.

The universal success of The Nutcracker can be attributed to its blend classical choreography with local flair, embracing diverse casts and inclusive storytelling.

Cape Ballet Africa’s The Nutcracker promises a magical production with breathtaking precision from the 50-strong company and its international guests. The season opens on 4 December 2025. Don’t be disappointed – book early! Recommended for all ages over five years. Ticket prices range from R250 to R690.

– MyZA

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The Cradle of Humankind and Ancient Roots

While the modern city is only about 140 years old, the ground beneath it holds the secrets of humanity’s earliest ancestors. Located just 50 kilometers northwest of the city center is the Cradle of Humankind, a UNESCO World Heritage site. This area contains a complex system of limestone caves, including the famous Sterkfontein Caves, where nearly 40% of all the world’s human ancestor fossils have been discovered.

Significant finds like “Mrs. Ples” (Australopithecus africanus) and the near-complete skeleton of “Little Foot” have provided scientists with crucial evidence about how early hominids walked upright and transitioned into the Homo genus. More recently, in 2013, the discovery of Homo naledi in the Rising Star cave system stunned the scientific community, suggesting that ancient human relatives may have practiced ritualized burial much earlier than previously thought. This proximity to the “birthplace of humanity” gives Johannesburg a unique cultural depth; while it is a city of skyscrapers and high finance, it is also a place where you can stand on the very ground where our species took its first steps.