Review - Swan Lake
Date Reviewed: 15th October, 2008
Venue: The Lowry
Swan Lake needs little introduction. It is one of the most popular ballets of all time and is regularly performed by every major ballet company, so it’s no wonder most of these companies try to give their productions a unique element to set it part from the rest.
The Australian Ballet is no exception and the creative team for this production have given the story a welcome overhaul and sought to reverse many changes made to Tchaikovsky’s score over the years in order to perform the music as closely to the composer’s original intentions as possible.
Choreographer Graeme Murphy’s version of the tale which premiered in 2002 takes its inspiration from the breakdown of the marriage of Princess Diana and Prince Charles and his relationship with Camilla Parker-Bowles. The story concerns the young maiden Odette who is desperately in love with her betrothed Prince Seigfried.
However her doubts of the Prince’s love prove well founded and after the wedding it becomes clear he is in love with another, the Baroness von Rothbart. Unable to deal with this rejection and in a fragile state Odette is confined to a Sanatorium where she finds comfort in her dreams of swan maidens. As the story progresses a more secure and confident Odette reclaims her husband who falls deeply in love with her and abandons the Baroness. However despite this reconciliation Odette still cannot find peace and sacrifices herself to the lake of Swans leaving the Prince to forever mourn.
In act 1 Danielle Rowe, as Baroness Von Rothbart, plays the femme fatale with style and sophistication and in act 3 really comes into her own as a strong woman rejected by the man she loves. She puts up and impressive fight right to the bitter end. Robert Curran dances the foolish and weak Prince Seigfried expertly showing a vast range of emotions which serve to underpin this complex character.
However, undoubtedly the star of this show is Madeleine Eastoe who is simply stunning as Odette. Not only is her dancing technically brilliant but her acting skills are of an exceptionally high standard and she is extremely believable as the fragile and unstable maiden. Eastoe’s act 3 pas de deux with Curran is a real highlight of the evening but their performances in the final scene are masterful and they convey the tragedy of the closing moments wonderfully.
The principal dancers are complemented by a host of impressive soloists and the ensemble keep the momentum going by performing Graeme Murphy’s fantastic choreography with enthusiasm and commitment.
Of major importance in any ballet is, of course, the music and here the BBC Philharmonic Orchestra are on fine form in the pit under the expert direction of Australian Ballet’s Music Director Nicolette Fraillon. It’s a huge treat to hear an orchestra of this calibre belting out this wonderful score.
A beautiful set by Kristian Fredrikson, who also designed the sumptuous costumes, is pleasing to the eye and highly effective in conveying the various settings. Particularly effective is the frozen dream lake of Odette’s imagination which contrasts starkly to the clinical sanatorium and extravagant evening party given by the baroness.
It’s a rare opportunity to see The Australian Ballet but if the rapturous reception at opening night is any indication, I think this is a company that well deserve a return visit in the future and I, for one, can’t wait.
Unmissable!
-Malcolm Wallace