“We strive to be a dance company that is relevant in South Africa in the truest sense of the word and which will address a wider market in South Africa and internationally,” explains Mzansi Productions’ Director, Dirk Badenhorst.

The company maintains an active performance schedule with its own productions, promotional events and corporate entertainment. They also participate in skills exchange programmes with various international ballet and dance companies and schools. ‘Somebody to Love: A Dance Celebration to the Music of Queen’ showcases Queen’s legendary music performed live onstage by the superb singers Shaun V, Kerry Hiles and Anne-Marie Clulow in a sleek, seductive celebration of love featuring the applauded dancers of Mzansi Productions. The fascinating landscape of human relationships forms the central theme of this sophisticated production.

Well known choreographers Debbie Rakusin (African Footprint) and Timothy Le Roux (Jesus Christ Superstar) explore facets of relationships in an elegant and sophisticated show brimming with atmosphere, ambience and superlative entertainment, with additional choreography by the startling new talent, Mari-Louise Basson. Using a selection of 18 of Queen’s greatest songs and beautiful bodies in costumes designed by David Hutt, the choreographers have sculpted a two-part homage to love.

It is a dance spectacular featuring songs made famous by such legends as Tina Turner, Shania Twain, Celine Dion, Rihanna, Mariah Carey and Edith Piaf, among others and the songs have been especially arranged for this production by DuPreez Strauss. Classically trained at the Juilliard School of Music in New York, Strauss has worked as artistic consultant, composer, music director, pianist, conductor and performer, accumulating production credits in stage and television productions in South Africa and abroad.

Mzansi Productions receives funding from the National Lottery Distribution Trust Fund and is supported by Distell.

‘Somebody to Love: A Dance Celebration to the Music of Queen’ runs at the Artscape Theatre from 8-12 June with all booking via Computicket.