’In a magical display of grace and artistry, the students of The Ballet School of Colombo (TBSC) took centre stage on 3rd and 4th November 2023 at the Bishops College Auditorium to celebrate the “Joy of Dance”, captivating hearts and minds alike of the audience.   Act One of the show was a captivating performance of the Hansel & Gretel Ballet. The young dancers effortlessly transported the audience into the enchanting world of the classic fairytale, bringing the characters to life with their exquisite technique and emotive storytelling.

The main cast of the Hansel and Gretel Ballet comprised of Shenelle Arasaratnam as Gretel, Okitha Karunadhara and Supushpika Jayakody as Hansel, Anitra Gunaratne as the Witch, Kyra Wafa and Janindu Ranasinghe as Father and Mother, Ashmita Sriharan as Moon, Lasandi Matharaarachchi as Sandman, Ovindee Rajapakse, Vonara Kiribathgoda, Shalini de Mel, and Kiara Wijewardene as the Main Sweets.

The production showcased the incredible talent of the main cast. Shenelle Arasaratnam portrayed Gretel with grace and charm, while Supushpika Jayakody (our Hansel for the evening) brought the young boy to life with zest. Anitra Gunaratne’s portrayal of the Witch was outstanding, executing a flawless switch in character from good to evil in just a matter of seconds and adding an element of suspense to the story with her performance, which had the desired effect of being both captivating and chilling at the same time. The ballet also featured a talented ensemble of young dancers who portrayed various other characters, such as the woodland creatures and the gingerbread children. Their synchronised movements and enthusiasm brought an enchanting energy to the stage, enhancing the overall mystical atmosphere of the performance.

Act Two displayed the different genres of dance styles offered by TBSC. Kicking off the second part of the evening with a peek into Classical Ballet with a graceful waltz, the adult class followed the performance with an energetic contemporary dance number. Janidu Ranasinghe performed a lovely solo tap dance and the students paid a powerful dance tribute to Sabrina Yusoof, whose foundation The Sabrina Yusoof Foundation holds the title of Custodian of the Ballet as the main sponsor for the show. A contemporary dance number rooted in classical ballet done by the male dancers and the students of the advanced jazz programme showcased their impressive technical skills in a high-energy routine, followed by a tap dance and a lively finale.  

With a delightful blend of colourful costumes, enchanting music, and captivating choreography by both the young and adult dancers of TBSC, the audience was treated to a joyful evening of dance. Joy of Dance was put together by the directors of the Ballet School, Romina Gyi, Nadine Magdon-Ismail and Tara Cooke with the help of the school faculty Janindu Ranasinghe, Shalini de Mel and Anitra Gunaratne.