Swan Lake (Moscow City Ballet) ( tour – Brighton, Theatre Royal)
Once again, I find myself sitting in a packed auditorium populated by an eclectic mix of patrons of all ages. Although they are so diverse they are all here for the same reason, to enjoy what is probably the most popular and enduring of ballets. A showcase of the ultimate mix of power and grace that is totally synonymous with the swan, and with every dancer on the stage. The audience is not disappointed.
The production is a very traditional one, played out in front of several extremely detailed backdrops which very easily switch from the sumptuous opulence of the palace to the bleak desolation of the lake. The almost total absence of any other scenery leaves the stage, which is fairly small in ballet terms, free to allow the dancers to demonstrate their skills to the full.
Daniil Orlov takes the role of Prince Siegfried and he is every inch the leading man. Tall and commanding, he shines when lifting or powering across the stage although his almost permanently fixed smile does nothing to portray the lovelorn and tormented character. At the opposite end of the scale is Talgat Kozhabayev as the sorcerer Von Rothbart who commands the stage with his menacing presence.
Without doubt the enormous strength of the production, and I also believe the company itself, is found in Liliya Orekhova playing the duel roles of Odette and Odile. Her amazing mannerisms make her very believable as the swan and her ability as a dancer confirm that she is, most definitely, a prima ballerina of the highest order. In recognition of her standing, she appears in the newest and most immaculate costumes including a very ingenious half white, half black creation worn in act three to help emphasise the spells which hold both women captive.
Special mention also goes to the Jester, played by Artem Minakov. An extremely talented dancer, he held his character well throughout the production. The curtain calls after the performance are, as is usual with ballet, fairly long but the applause of the audience never wanes although it is rather unusual that, although all the females in the corps de ballet soak up the appreciation from the crowd, the males did not return to share in the congratulation that this production truly deserves.
