Different young artists will perform the role of Clara in the upcoming run.
Cape Ballet Africa’s brand-new production of The Nutcracker this December at Teatro, Montecasino will feature six young artists sharing the role of Clara; the young girl who receives a magical nutcracker doll for Christmas and goes on on adventures in magical lands.
The rising young performers dancing Clara include three dancers from Johannesburg and three from Cape Town.
From Johannesburg, Scarlett Haslam is from Parktown North, attends Kingsmead college and has danced in Sleeping Beauty. Also from Parktown North, where she trains with the Orlovska Dance Academy, Maseroka Mothiba received a scholarship to attend the 2025 Summer Intensive Program with the American Academy of Ballet in New York. Chiara Szabo, from Edenglen, trains with the Carstens-Ireland Ballet School and won a gold medal at the 2024 South African International Ballet Competition.
At 16, Gia Lipschitz from De Waterkant in Cape Town, has already been dancing for 12 years and is an apprentice at Cape Ballet Africa. Fellow CBA apprentice Erin Padoau moved to Rosebank in Cape Town from Durban and is a graduate of the Mosa Ballet School in Liège, Belgium. Constantia’s Victoria Toweel, who has studied with the Jacqui Pells School of Ballet, won a gold first place for her contemporary solo at the 2023 MOVE Dance Competition.
Auditions for the role of Clara were held earlier this year in Cape Town and Johannesburg, generating widespread interest. The six chosen performers will each have their turn to present their interpretation of this wonderful role.
“I’m extremely excited to be working with choreographer Maina Gielgud – she’s a gem in the ballet world!” says Lipschitz. Maseroka adds, “Playing Clara is such a wonderful opportunity, as she gets to go on such magical journeys, while also dancing amazing choreography to such beautiful music.”
The magical holiday classic features South Africa’s top classical ballet talent alongside acclaimed international guest artists. Denis Cherevychko, from Kyiv, Ukraine, danced for over a decade with the Vienna State Ballet, has undertaken guest performances for some of the world’s major dance companies including Paris Opera Ballet, Teatro San Carlo (Italy) and Hungarian National Ballet and has performed the leading male roles in all of ballet’s classics including Swan Lake, Don Quixote, Giselle and The Nutcracker.
Brazillian Arthur Wille is the rising star of the UK’s London City Ballet and has danced major roles in Giselle, Raymonda, Don Quixote and Le Corsaire. CBA’s The Nutcracker marks both dancers’ African debut.
The Nutcracker, has become a beloved holiday tradition across the globe. Tchaikovsky’s classic transcends the seasons and continents. Audiences will witness a transformation from a Christmas Eve ball to a world of dancing snowflakes, the Kingdom of Sweets, and be enchanted by this classic tale of the courageous Nutcracker Prince as he battles to save his Princess.
Dazzling choreography and stunning costumes complement the magnificent music, creating a truly unforgettable, fantastical experience. From the iconic “Dance of the Sugar Plum Fairy” to the vibrant “Waltz of the Flowers,” every moment is a visual feast for the senses.
The 50 member strong Cape Ballet Africa’s The Nutcracker promises a magical production. The season opens on 4 December 2025. Don’t be disappointed – book now, tickets are selling fast! Recommended for all ages over five years. Ticket prices range from R250 to R690. Tickets are from Webtickets.co.za or at Montecasino.co.za.
