Cape Town City Ballet

Ballet company based in Cape Town, South Africa. It was founded in 1963 as CAPAB Ballet, so-called because it was originally funded by the Cape Performing Arts Board, a state organization. It grew out of the University of Cape Town Ballet Company. It performs throughout South Africa, and abroad. Its first director was Dulcie Howes; David Poole, who succeeded her in 1967, added many ballets of his own to the repertoire before he retired in 1990. For many years Phyllis Spira was its leading ballerina. Frank Staff was resident choreographer until his death in 1971. A classically based company, it also has ballets by Cranko, de Valois, Ashton, Bournonville, and Jooss in its repertoire. Guest artists who have danced with the company include Fonteyn and Fracci. In 1991 Veronica Paeper took over as artistic director. She is a prolific choreographer who has made many original full-length works for the company. In 1997 CAPAB officially changed its name to Cape Town City Ballet.