Private Presley: A Ballet Tribute that Shakes, Rattles, and Rolls the Heart
TDS - 29 October 2025
Mzansi Ballet has delivered a showstopper with Private Presley, Sean Bovim’s magnetic ballet inspired by the life and music of Elvis Presley. Opening on Friday at the Pieter Toerien Theatre, the stage exploded with energy, heart, and the swagger of a cultural icon whose star still burns bright.
In the lead role, Mexican dancer Jorge Wade slips into the persona of Elvis with electrifying charisma. He struts, shimmies, and leaps through the major moments of the King’s career, giving audiences a performance that feels both familiar and freshly imagined. Angela Revie shines as Priscilla Presley, moving with grace and emotional depth as she reflects the tender complexity of Elvis’s most celebrated love story.
Bovim’s choreography is a clever blend of classical technique, theatrical storytelling, and rock ’n’ roll attitude. From the skilful group numbers to the intimate duets, the movement speaks to the triumphs, dreams, and personal battles behind the fame. The production celebrates Elvis’s musical eras with vivid costumes, nostalgic lighting tones, and that unmistakable pulse of rhythm that defined the birth of rock.
The reimagined version of ‘Private Presley’ is wonderfully enhanced by live singing by the talented Logan James and Patience Mahema.
Show Details
• Venue: Pieter Toerien Theatre, Montecasino
• Presented by: Mzansi Ballet
• Show runs: Through October to 30 November 2025
• Tickets: Available via Pieter Toerien's Theatre Box Office and Webtickets
More than just a tribute, Private Presley is a reinterpretation of a global legend’s journey. It reminds us why Elvis’s music continues to unite generations and why dance remains one of the most powerful storytellers of all.