Katherine MacAlister talks to the former ballet dancer and composer, whose dream to create an innovative new show came true

Combining one of the world’s most famous choirs with two globally renowned ballet companies was always going to be a tall order.

However, persuading famous South African singers Ladysmith Black Mambazo, and the Rambert and The Royal Ballet to come together for a brand new, internationally touring show, seemed nigh on impossible.

But not for former principal ballerina Pietra Mello-Pitman and British composer Ella Spira, who brought Inala to the stage, a project five years in the making. Currently in Russia, where Inala is touring, I track down Pietra and Ella, in Moscow. Inala received a standing ovation there the night before, so they are in good spirits: “They loved it,” Pietra tells me “and the Russians clap in unison so it was very energetic. This was our first international performance so we had no idea what to expect but it was a real success.”

The project began when the pair went to see a Ladysmith Black Mambazo concert. Choreographing a brand new show with the help of Rambert’s Mark Baldwin, incorporating ballet and African dancing, while Ella wrote a new musical score, Pietra knew nothing like this had been attempted before.

And it wasn’t until Ladysmith Black Mambazo came to the UK to start rehearsals that the pair knew they had a hit on their hands.

“It was a big gamble introducing the dancers and singers to new genres and disciplines and putting them all in a melting pot together, but they have all sparred off each other and learnt so much,” Pietra says.

Once Inala had successful runs at Sadlers Wells, the Edinburgh Fringe and Moscow, as well as a full UK tour booked, they knew their mission had been accomplished.

“We just wanted to find a way of bringing the two forces together and although we would never make them do something they were uncomfortable with, there are some very tongue-in-cheek moments on stage where they take the mickey out of each other,” Ella laughs.

“So now it feels like a real community rather than individual performers. It’s a brilliant mix and an entertaining show,” Pietra promises.

“What we really set out to do was unite audiences and cultures, so Inala is a journey, and very moving and emotional as a result,” Ella adds.

“And even though it’s our first big production, we always believed in it and knew we were up to the job. But we never envisaged such a big successful show as this, so we are very proud.”

SEE IT
Inala kicks off at the New Theatre Oxford on Tuesday and Wednesday. 
Call the box office on 0844 871 3020 or see atgtickets.com/oxford