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| Brooklyn Mack as Amari, a Spartacus in Africa |
The advertisement promised "An epic production
with 100 dancers including Washington Ballet’s Brooklyn Mack in the role of Spartacus, accompanied by a full symphony
orchestra. The famous story of the Roman Empire slave uprising is re-configured
into an African setting, complete with incredible costumes and lavish scenery." And it was just that!
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| Kristin Wilson as Nadira, the favorite of Nagash |
A Spartacus of Africa takes the tale of Spartacus, the slave, and sets it firmly in Africa. It is the familiar story of one man`s battle against the indignity and cruelty of slavery and his determination to free himself and his fellow men and women.
A production of the South African National Dance Trust, A Spartacus of
Africa was danced by international guest artists as well as a cast of
over 100 South African dancers to the music of Aram Khachaturian, accompanied
by the Johannesburg Philharmonic Orchestra. What a difference live music makes!
The cast was excellent! Especially Brooklyn Mack. He was phenomenal. Brooklyn Mack was born in South Carolina. He studied with the Kirov Academy of Ballet in Washington DC and the American Ballet Theatre Studio Company. A veteran of the Orlando Ballet, he joined the Washington Ballet in 2009 as a principal dancer and in 2012 was recognized as one of Dance Magazine's '25 to Watch.'
Original choreography by Veronica Paeper; Inventive costume design by Dicky Longhurst; Creative set design by KMH Architects; and the Johannesburg Philharmonic Orchestra was expertly conducted by Paul Hoskins. It was a great night at the ballet in Johannesburg.
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