Mthuthuzeli November and Joshua Junker on Ballet Beats
Two new choreographic voices
In Ballet Beats, the promising young choreographers Mthuthuzeli November and Joshua Junker each present a new work. Meet these rising stars, whose works offer a glimpse into the ballet of tomorrow.
Text: Rosalie Overing
Mthuthuzeli November
“I was born in South Africa, where I used to dance on the streets in the style people call traditional African dance: a blend of traditions from various African countries. When I was about fifteen, I came into contact with ballet through the outreach programme Dance For All and was immediately interested in how those two worlds could influence one another. As a choreographer, I now combine ballet, modern dance and African dance, and through this new movement idiom I tell stories that usually remain untold.”
Rich history of Africa
“A theme I’m currently focusing on in my work is identity: where do we come from and where do dance and music come from? How did my ancestors dance? I’m fascinated by the rich history of Africa and I want to enrich that heritage still further, by way of classical ballet, for instance. So my work for the Junior Company will probably be a spiritual piece, which transports you to another time and place.”
The body won’t forget
“African dance is very different to ballet, which can be a challenge for ballet dancers. They sometimes try to overanalyse the choreography, to fit it into the parameters they’re familiar with. So then it’s up to me to ensure they trust me enough to throw themselves into the choreography. I always say, ‘Just dance the steps. Your body won’t forget your technique.’ If they do that, then both their technique and the African movements are elevated to a higher plane.”
Mthuthuzeli November (Cape Town) is a dancer and choreographer. He danced with the Cape Dance Company, where he also created his first work, and with Ballet Black in London. He has recently become a full-time freelance choreographer and Artistic Associate with the Dutch National Ballet Academy, in Amsterdam.
Joshua Junker
“My first work for the Junior Company, Remembrance in 2023, was also one of my first choreographic commissions. That put the pressure on a bit, but I also felt at home straight away at Dutch National Ballet. Ernst Meisner and Ted Brandsen gave me plenty of freedom, which made it a wonderful first experience. So I’m looking forward to working with the Junior Company again and I’m curious about the new talent in the group. The timing’s a bit tricky, as I’m still dancing with The Royal Ballet. But fortunately my director, Kevin O’Hare, recognises the value of dancers developing outside the company as well.”
Finding inspiration
“Since I’m still performing myself, I can draw on that for inspiration for my own work. Sometimes I welcome elements of styles or choreographers I’m working with as a dancer, but sometimes I search for something totally different. At the end of the day, I want to create things I’d find inspiring myself – both as a dancer and as a spectator. Precisely what that means for a choreographic work is something I’m still exploring, but I always hope to convey a feeling of inspiration and excitement to others.”
Joshua Junker (Nijmegen) is a soloist dancer with The Royal Ballet, besides being active as a choreographer. He has created several works for The Royal Ballet, both for Covent Garden’s Main Stage and for tours. In 2023, he made his acclaimed debut with the Junior Company, with the ballet Remembrance.
