DANCE

DANCEFANS



As a response to the uncertainty of funding for the Playhouse Dance Company following the publication of the draft white paper, the Playhouse Dance department has opened a fund for supporters to contribute to its future.

An organisation called DanceFans was launched last month when the Dance Company presented a preview of the programme to be performed in Bloemfontein.

EARNED

In 1995, the Dance Department earned more than twice its 1994 income. Much of that revenue can be attributed to income earned at the box-office by the Dance Company itself through the development of new audiences, an aggressive marketing strategy and new initiatives such as school matinees and lecture demonstrations.

ACCLAIMED

The Playhouse Dance Company is fast gathering acclaim wherever it performs. By the end of this year, it will have presented major seasons in Stellenbosch, Johannesburg, Bloemfontein and Grahamstown.

The Company has also been invited to perform at the Miss South African pageant at Sun City and may visit Hong Kong later in the year. It also made special guest appearances at the recent Eastern Seaboard Universities Dance Festival held at the Elizabeth Sneddon Theatre.

A busy programme, indeed, for the small 16-member versatile company.

FUTURE

All interested in the future of the Playhouse Dance Company can become members of DanceFans. Contributions can be at a corporate or individual level. All DanceFans are eligible to enjoy a host of benefits for dance performances and dance company activities.

For more details, contact Joanne Hayes on 21-1476.

OLD-TIME DANCES



El Guappo Italian Quarter Restaurant in Blue Heights Centre, Westville, brings back the old times by introducing dinner-dance evenings once a week.

Well-remembered for his 30 years at the Old Roma Restaurant, Les Dolley will be in attendance every Wednesday evening from July 3 onwards with singer Roz Tarr.

A popular duo for the past eight years, they will revive romantic favourites and oblige with requests whenever possible.



AWARD FOR MARY-ANN



A scintillating performance of versatility and stage charm won this year's Nederburg Prize for Ballet in KZN.

The Nederburg Ballet prize - awarded in KZN every two years - was made to Mary-Ann de Wet for her interpretation of Titania in Mark Hawkins' dance version of Shakespeare's A Midsummer Night's Dream. She was also mentioned for her dancing in Le Spectre de la Rose and the Shostakovich Pas de Deux.

One of the Playhouse Dance Company stars as well as repetiteur, Mary-Ann de Wet choreographed Room Inside My Head for the company's recent With Attitude and earlier assisted with the choreography of Oklahoma.

Her versatility has ranged from dancing in Ashley Killar's full-length ballet, Romeo and Juliet, and Giselle to pieces by Robin Orlin and Boyzie Cekwana. She has received the SAA Performing Artist Award and her engaging stage presence, technique and charm have won her many supporters.

SPECIAL

A special Nederburg award was given to the grand dame of South African opera and celebrated soprano of yesteryear, Rose Alper-Magid, for dedicating a lifetime to the advancement of the art of opera. Because there was no profes-sional opera production in KZN this past year, no prize was awarded for opera.

Over some 25 years Nederburg prizes have brought acknowledgement of the finest of the country's opera and ballet performers and have often underpinned new and ambitious directions in their careers. Thus it has contributed to these important art forms, in some instances under threat in present conditions.

SOCIAL DANCES



An evening of social dancing will be held at the Durban College of Education in Umbilo on July 27 at 20h00.

Entrance R10 (BYO). Phone 207-2424.



NEDERLANDS DANS



The Playhouse Company is proud to bring to Durban, as part of a three-city tour of South Africa, Nederlands Dans Theater 3. Jiri Kylian, the Czech-born and world-famous artistic director of all three Nederlands Dans Theater com- panies, explores three stages of a dancer's life through these companies.

The original Nederlands Dans Theater produced first an offshoot company of very young dancers under the age of 22; namely NDT2. Kylian then added a further group of performing artists over the age of 40, which became NDT3. The repertoire of each company reflects the age of the artists, with their related interests and experiences.

LIGHTFOOT

In Durban, NDT3 presents works by Jiri Kylian himself, as well as Paul Lightfoot, Ohan Naharin and Hans van Manen. All the works are choreographed for the mature dancer, capitalising effectively on emotions and experience. The dancers in the company have all had illustrious careers and are in the prime of their lives as performers.

There will be two performances only on July 16 and 17 at 20h00 at the Elizabeth Sneddon Theatre.

Tickets (R20 to R40) at Computicket.