Cape Ballet Africa has announced a significant milestone for the performing arts in South Africa: the company has secured its first international tour featuring its acclaimed production of Tchaikovsky's classical work, 'Swan Lake.'
Following a two-week season scheduled for February 2027 at the Artscape Opera House, the full-scale production will travel to Australia in April 2027. The international tour will cover three prestigious venues in Australia: Crown Theatre in Perth, Her Majesty’s Theatre in Adelaide, and The Princess Theatre in Melbourne.
The tour, organized by Theatre Tours International under the Cape Ballet brand, marks an unprecedented step forward for South Africa's youngest professional ballet company, founded just two years ago. Debbie Turner, Artistic Director and founder of Cape Ballet Africa, expressed immense pride: 'We are incredibly proud to be embarking on our first international tour to Australia, which allows us to showcase the immense talent of our South African artists on the world stage.'
Reflecting on the company's rapid growth since its inception, Turner emphasized the importance of presenting South African art to an international audience. She added: 'When I founded Cape Ballet Africa in 2024, I could not have imagined that we would have the opportunity to act as cultural ambassadors for South African performing arts, presenting the world's most iconic ballet abroad.' She also noted that after the February season at Artscape, their beautiful South African sets and costumes will be shipped to Australia.
The tour is taking place on Australian stages in partnership with Theatre Tours International. The company's management noted the exceptional reception the production received during a recent performance in Gauteng. Simon Bryce, CEO of Theatre Tours International, stated: 'Observing the audience reaction at Teatro, Montecasino (Johannesburg) just a few months ago, we realized this production is meant for a wider audience.' He continued: 'This is Swan Lake as it should be seen; a troupe of sixty performers, great traditions preserved, and the production presented on a scale worthy of Tchaikovsky's masterpiece. Please take the opportunity to see this magnificent production at Artscape in February before the Australian tour.'
The production features a troupe of 60 performers, along with specially designed South African sets and costumes, showcasing the country's creative mastery alongside a high technical level. For audiences in South Africa, the February 2027 season at the Artscape Opera House will be the last chance to see this spectacular performance at home before the entire physical production, scenery, wardrobe, and stage design are loaded onto cargo ships for the journey across the Indian Ocean.
As Cape Ballet Africa prepares for this historic undertaking, the tour stands as a testament to the growth, ambition, and international recognition of South African ballet.