We were bowled over by Veronica Paeper’s brilliant Orpheus in the Underworld, for Cape Town City Ballet at Artscape. The season started June 12. I was away so I got to see the ballet, on Saturday June 20 at Artscape. Orpheus finished on June 21. If there was time, I would have gone again. My husband usually hates ballet and he LOVED this ballet which is acrobatic, athletic, quirky, extremely funny and fun.
I am writing in the first person – documenting how much I loved this ballet. Orpheus in the Underworld is exhilarating dance THEATRE. Technically a wow; stunning staging and design. The set and costumes by Peter Cazalet – are a wonder. This production was first staged in the 80s, by Paeper for Cape Town City Ballet and the season was a revival of the ballet, with a few tweaks, such as projections, designed by Kirsti Cummings. I did not see the production in the 80s and it was a revelation to see this ballet. I had no idea that it in CTCB’s repertoire. I hope that the company considers bringing it back.
For her ballet, Paeper adapted Jacques Offenbach’s 1858 comic operetta. He composed the music including the famous Galop Infernal (aka the Can-Can). The libretto was by by Ludovic Halévy and Hector Crémieux. Paeper transposed the narrative to the 1920s, with flappers and excess of the Jazz Age. She has heightened and extended the satire of Offenbach’s operetta and created a fabulous character of Callilope – the mother of Orpheus. Calliope was Public Opinion in the operetta. In Paeper’s ballet, she is the kibitzing mom of Orpheus. Hannah Ward played Calliope on the night that we attended and blew us away with her dancing and acting smarts.
The other principals on the night that we attended: Kirstél Paterson (Eurydice), Leusson Muniz (Pluto) and Axton Green as Orpheus. Stunning dance and as I say, incredible acting and comic timing.
The dancers are dazzling not only technically but also theatrically, with prodigious acting skills. It’s ballet so there are no words. It’s all conveyed through mime, clowning, gesture, physical theatre. Beautiful lighting by Faheem Bardien and Michael Tiffin’s arrangement of the Offenbach music is absolutely wonderous. Yes that famous Can-Can is at the end but the whole score is a treat. The Cape Town Philharmonic Orchestra, conducted by the fabulous Brandon Phillips are in total synch with the dancers. For instance, Orpheus strings his guitar – simultaneously with the orchestra – and it is fascinating to see the dancer and orchestra watching each other.
By the way, even the programme notes are quirky and hilarious.
Yes, the Orpheus season is over but this is your sign to book for Cape Town City Ballet’s Swan Lake which will be on in Stellenbosch at the Adam Small Theatre, July 31 to August. Sean Bovim’s Swingtime is on August 7-8, also at the Adam Small. Coppelia is on September 18 at the Joseph Stone Auditorium in Athlone and The Nutcracker is on at Artscape December 11-30. This is what is on offer for 2026. Looking forward to 2027.
❇ Kirstel Paterson (Eurydice) and Leusson Muniz (Pluto) in Veronica Paeper’s Orpheus in the Underworld, for Cape Town City Ballet, June 2026, Artscape. Photo: Brenda Veldtman. Supplied.
