Joburg Ballet and the University of Johannesburg (UJ) arts & culture department have launched *The Bacchae: An African Choral Ballet*, a world-first production that reinterprets Euripides' ancient Greek tragedy through a South African lens.

This innovative work, part of Joburg Ballet’s 25th anniversary season, merges ballet, choral music, and theatre to explore themes of power, spirituality, identity, and the conflict between freedom and control.

Directed by Jay Pather and choreographed by Mthuthuzeli November, the production features an original score by Neo Muyanga, with Joburg Ballet dancers, the 80-member UJ Choir, and a live chamber orchestra.Running from July 3 to 12 2026 at the Joburg Theatre, the production celebrates cultural fusion and artistic innovation.

The collaboration highlights the intersection of classical literature and contemporary African storytelling, offering audiences a unique blend of traditional and modern artistic expression.

This milestone marks a significant contribution to South Africa’s cultural landscape, showcasing the potential of interdisciplinary art to address universal themes through a distinctly African perspective.