Duck ‘n Dance

Choreography: Jazzart Dance Theatre, under the direction of Alfred Hinkel & Debbie Goodman
Stunt choreography: Anthony Mo Marais & Andrew McKenzie
Music composed by: René Avenant
Costume & set design: Michael Mitchell
Lighting design: Juha Westman and Paul Abrahams (exchange initiated by Shuttle 99)

1998/99 FNB Vita Award: Special Award for Cape Town Region

Artscape Arena, Cape Town: 1998

This was an extremely popular 45-minute, African version of the classical ballet, Swan Lake. René rewrote some of the major extracts to create an electronic, contemporary African soundtrack in a jazz style, underplayed with heavy drumming.

“We even used flying skills,” says Alfred. “Sbonakaliso Ndaba and Ondine Bello played the roles of the lead swan and the prince respectively. David Poole’s partner, Owen, came to see it. He was in tears afterwards, and said ‘David would so have approved’.”