DADA Masilo, Robyn Orlin, Boyzie Cekwana, Gregory Maqoma … the names of the “most famous” SA choreographers roll easily off the tongue of Philippe Cohen, artistic director of the Grand Théâtre de Genève Ballet Company (Geneva Ballet).

In a rare break from his own tradition, Cohen has invited some of them to choreograph work for the 19-member ballet company as well as 12 local professional dancers preceding the visitors’ tour of Roméo & Juliette to the Mandela Joburg Theatre, from June 17 to June 21.

It’s a coup for the chosen few. Maqoma, assisted by Luyanda Sidiya, PJ Sabaggha and Fana Tshabalala, all based in Johannesburg, and Mamela Nyamza, from Cape Town, will join Geneva Ballet’s Nathanaël Marie, from Cannes, France, to make new work for the dancers this week in groups to be determined by Cohen himself.