The coronavirus is once again spoiling the party. A show by South African choreographer Dada Masilo, scheduled for the Avignon Festival, has been canceled due to cases of Covid among the team, the festival announced on Sunday, on the eve of its opening. South Africa, the country most affected by the virus on the African continent, recorded at the end of the week a record of 24,000 new infections in a single day.
“We regret to inform you that the artistic team of the show The sacrifice by choreographer Dada Masilo cannot leave South Africa and perform the show scheduled for the 75th edition, ”the festival said in a statement.
Ticket exchange or refund
“Several members of the team are affected by Covid-19 or contact cases. Spectators will have the choice between exchanging their tickets for other shows or being reimbursed, ”the festival added.
Dada Masilo, known for her re-readings of classical ballets which she infused with African dance, was to revisit the famous Rite of Spring by Stravinsky, originally choreographed by legendary dancer Vaslav Nijinsky for the Ballets Russes. The sacrifice was scheduled to be featured on seven dates July 17-24.
The 2020 edition of the most prestigious theater festival in the world – along with that of Edinburgh – had been canceled due to the pandemic. For the 2021 edition, wearing a mask will be compulsory throughout the fortified city, but the rooms will be able to accommodate as many spectators as usual.