As part of the Joburg Ballet’s ongoing 25th Anniversary Season performances, the prestigious dance company has partnered with Arts & Culture at the University of Johannesburg to present The Bacchae: An African Choral Ballet, a world-first Choral Ballet that reimagines Euripides’ iconic tragedy through a uniquely South African lens.
The ballet, which is brought to life by a combination of local and international creative minds, runs from 3 to 12 July 2026 at the Joburg Theatre.
A Greek tragedy told from an African perspective
In Euripides’ original play, Dionysis, the bastard son of Zeus whose mortal family denied him his place of honour as a deity, returns to Thebes seeking revenge for their denial of his relation to Zeus and his status as a god.
Disguised as a holy man, he seeks out to turn the people of Thebes into Dionysian believers, but his efforts are rejected by his cousin, King Pentheus of Thebes, who calls for his imprisonment. Chaos ensues at the hand of Dionysus’ godly powers, ending in tragedy for Pentheus.
In this African reimagining of The Bacchae, the creative team transforms Euripides’ tragedy into an urgent South African conversation about power, belonging, spirituality and communal rites, while making visible the consequences of excess.
Drawing from Euripides’ classic, the full-length ballet reinterprets the tale with a richness of movement, sound and choral tradition. The tragedy follows Dionysus, who arrives in a divided city promising freedom, ecstasy and spiritual awakening.
As his intoxicating presence sweeps through Thebes, women abandon convention and a chorus of voices rises in ecstatic defiance. Pentheus, the rigid young ruler, vows to restore order and crush the growing movement; but curiosity and desire draw him dangerously close to the very force he condemns.
A decorated creative team brings The Bacchae to life
The Bacchae: An African Choral Ballet is directed by the visionary Jay Pather, choreographed by the multi-award-winning choreographer Mthuthuzeli November, conceptualised and composed by the celebrated composer Neo Muyanga and features the powerful voices of the acclaimed UJ Choir and a live chamber orchestra.
Muyanga’s soaring score and intoxicating rhythm drive the emotional pulse of the work. He blends the powerful voices of the 80-strong UJ Choir with the orchestra, while Joburg Ballet’s world-class dancers bring a visceral force that speaks to both ancient myth and contemporary society.
How to book
Cost: R140pp to R1000pp, book via Webtickets
When: Running from 3 to 12 July 2026. Various days at 11am, 2pm and/or 7pm
Where: Mandela Theatre at Joburg Theatre, 163 Civic Blvd, Braamfontein, Johannesburg
Website: joburgballet.com
Email: [email protected]
Tel: 011 877 6898
Facebook: @JoburgBalletCompany
Instagram: @joburgballet
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