VOICED : South African ballet sets Nutcracker in the Kalahari Desert

The Joburg Ballet's reimagined Nutcracker incorporates South African cultural elements, setting the story in the Kalahari Desert during summer. The production retains Tchaikovsky's score but replaces traditional elements with local ones, such as a sangoma as the Sugarplum Fairy. Dancers face challenges adapting to new styles, including acrobatics, aiming to attract diverse audiences while maintaining the Nutcracker's magic.

What role does the Sugarplum Fairy play in the South African Nutcracker?

In what ways does the Joburg Ballet aim to reach new audiences with this production?