Staff Reporter|Published
The South African dance community will gather at Artscape for a special performance honouring the life and legacy of Sir Geoffrey Neiman, the celebrated dancer, choreographer and teacher who died in June.
Titled SOBREMESA, the once-off tribute will take place on Tuesday, 28 October, at 7.30pm at the Artscape Opera House, with all proceeds going to the Theatre Benevolent Fund.
Presented jointly by Artscape and Cape Ballet Africa, the evening will bring together dancers from various companies, artists and friends to celebrate Neiman’s far-reaching contribution to Spanish dance and the performing arts.
A lifetime dedicated to Spanish dance
Neiman’s illustrious career included a 20-year dance partnership with Mercedes Molina under the stage name Enrique Segovia, during which they performed with leading Spanish dance companies.
His cultural legacy also included helping to establish the Spanish Dance Society and playing a key role in developing its male syllabus. The syllabus has helped preserve and promote Spanish dance, maintaining standards across five continents.
In 1999, King Juan Carlos of Spain honoured Neiman with the “Cruz de Oficial de la Orden de Isabel la Catolica” for his outstanding contribution to Spanish culture and dance education. More recently, he was acknowledged as Honorary Life President of the society.
Arts leaders pay tribute
Artscape CEO Marlene le Roux described Neiman’s passing as both a national and personal loss, reflecting on his role as a mentor and champion of the arts.
“We have bid farewell to a giant of the arts. This is also a personal loss to me because as a young person in this industry, he was a mentor to me. Sir Geoffrey Neiman was far more than a celebrated figure in dance. He was a guiding light, a mentor, an advocate, and an unwavering champion of the arts.”
Le Roux said his influence extended beyond the stage, touching the lives of dancers, performers, teachers and arts practitioners in South Africa and around the world.
“Through his vision, passion, and generosity of spirit, he inspired excellence while reminding us of the transformative power of creativity. The arts community has lost one of its great custodians, but his legacy will continue to live on in every artist he encouraged, every career he helped shape, and every audience member moved by the beauty he brought into the world.”
Debbie Turner, artistic director and founder of Cape Ballet Africa, also paid tribute to Neiman’s dedication to artistic excellence.
“Sir Geoffrey was a remarkable patron, a passionate advocate for the arts, and devoted supporter of ballet whose enthusiasm for artistic excellence enriched countless lives. As we reflect on his contribution to the cultural landscape of South Africa, we celebrate a life devoted to beauty, creativity and the transformative power of the arts. His legacy lives proudly on.”
International talent joins tribute programme
Spanish dance was central to Neiman’s creative life, and SOBREMESA will bring together different elements of the arts that he loved.
Guest artist Ramón Fernández, a South African-born flamenco dancer, will travel from Spain especially for the performance.
Cape Ballet Africa will perform Nacho Duato’s Remanso, which the company first presented as part of its triple bill BREATHWORDS after having the rare opportunity to work directly with the choreographer to stage the piece.
Known to be one of Neiman’s favourite works, Remanso will feature alongside Michelle Reid’s Duende, which she dedicated to his memory at its premiere at The Baxter this month.