There are some stories that never lose their magic. Giselle is one of them.
This February, Joburg Ballet brings the timeless romantic classic back to the stage, opening its 25th anniversary year with a production that feels both nostalgic and newly meaningful. From 12 to 15 February 2026, the company will perform Giselle at the Mandela Theatre, one of the city’s most iconic cultural spaces.
For many in Johannesburg, a night at the theatre is already special. But Giselle has always been something more.
At its heart, Giselle is a tale of love that refuses to die. It unfolds through passion, heartbreak, and forgiveness, with a heroine whose devotion transcends betrayal and even death itself. Generations of ballet lovers have wept over it, and new audiences continue to discover why this 19th-century masterpiece remains a cornerstone of classical dance.
In 2026, the production is staged and produced by Angela Malan, bringing together some of South Africa’s finest dancers. Expect ethereal choreography, sweeping emotion, and the kind of technical brilliance that leaves the auditorium breathless.
For seasoned ballet fans, it is a return to something cherished. For newcomers, it is the perfect introduction.
There is added meaning to this particular season.
When Joburg Ballet launched in 2001, then known as South African Ballet Theatre, Giselle was the very first ballet it presented. Now, as the company celebrates 25 years on stage, it returns to the work that helped define its beginning.
That sense of history matters. In a city often focused on what is next, this anniversary season is also about honouring what has endured. Bringing Giselle back feels less like a coincidence and more like a fitting way to mark a milestone year.
Performances take place at the Mandela Theatre at Joburg Theatre on the following dates:
Thursday 12 February 2026 at 19:00
Friday 13 February 2026 at 19:00
Saturday 14 February 2026 at 14:00 and 19:00
Sunday 15 February 2026 at 14:00
Tickets range from R250 to R670, making it accessible for both dedicated arts patrons and those planning a special night out.
In a time when so much entertainment is consumed through screens, live ballet offers something rare. The hush before the curtain rises. The collective intake of breath. The shared silence when a dancer seems to defy gravity.
Giselle is not just about romance. It is about devotion, loss, and redemption told through movement. And as Joburg Ballet steps into its 25th year, it feels like exactly the right story to tell.
If you have not been to the theatre in a while, this might be your reason to return.
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