MATTHEW HIRSCH
For Laura Bosenberg, it has always been a dream to be on stage – and the ballet dancer will be back where she belongs next month after having undergone serious hip surgery.
In May she will be one of the stars in the Cape Town City Ballet production of Shades of Love, a programme of three contrasting ballets choreographed by Ashley Killar, at the Artscape Theatre from Saturday May 7 to Sunday May 22.
Danced to the music of Benjamin Britten, Béla Bartók and Maurice Ravel, Shades of Love includes Towards Illusion, The Miraculous Mandarin and Sarabande – each ballet portraying varying aspects of love.
Ms Bosenberg, a Sea Point resident, has been dancing since she was four years old, with her passion for dance having taken her to stages all over the world.
“I did courses and have been in competitions and just enjoyed it more and more. I decided it was definitely something I wanted to do as my career and it became one of my biggest passions. I just loved everything about what ballet was. It became a lifestyle and who I was.”
She was 19 when she was offered a contract at Cape Town City Ballet and has been a professional dancer for 12 years.
Ms Bosenberg added that her upbringing in Sea Point played a big part in her trajectory to becoming a professional dancer as there had been ballet events at the Sea Point civic every week which helped develop her as a dancer.
“What is really great about this area is that once a year they hold a competition called the Cape Town Ballet Eisteddfod at the Sea Point civic centre. All the ballet teachers in the area would come together and there would be a competition.”
And this, she said, encouraged you to push yourself.
Elaborating on the challenges posed by her chosen profession, she pointed out that while ballet is an artform, it also requires a measure of athleticism and fitness.
”You have to be super flexible while being strong at the same time. A study showed that ballet was the second hardest sport in the world, but you have to make it look easy.”
But, she added, “If it is something you want to do, don’t listen to people who say you can’t. There have been so many famous ballerinas who were told they can’t. Don’t let peer pressure decide who you are. Go for it and be the best you can be.”
Asked how she felt about being back on stage after the op, she said: “I definitely will be nervous before going on but I think this will go away when I step on stage.”
Ms Bosenberg picked up an injury during a production of Carmen last year and her subsequent hip surgery kept her out of action for five months.
”It was hard but good for me to have a break. It will be my first time in a production since October. It will be daunting but I am very excited to be back on stage.”
You can book tickets through Computicket or Artscape Dial-a-Seat on 021 421 7695.
