1st Night Photos: Strictly In-the-Round Swan Lake

Raymond Gubbay’s lavish in-the-round production of Swan Lake – the largest dance production of its kind in the world – celebrates its tenth anniversary this year, returning last night (13 June 2007) to the Royal Albert Hall, where it has a strictly limited run to 24 June. The “dance event of the summer” attracted other high-profile choreographers to the performance and post-show party, not least Strictly Come Dancing judges Arlene Phillips and Bruno Tonioli.

Set to Tchaikovsky’s classic score, Swan Lake is arguably the world’s most popular ballet ever. It tells the story of Prince Siegfried’s powerful love for the Swan Queen, Odette, and their battle against the evil magician, Rothbart. French dancer Sofiane Sylve stars as Odette/Odile alongside Stuttgart Ballet’s principal dancer Friedemann Vogel as Prince Siegfried.

Originally produced for English National Ballet by Derek Deane in May 1997, this production has seen by an audience of nearly 400,000 around the world since its premiere. This is its fifth season performed in the round. The production features more than 120 dancers and an 80-strong orchestra, in addition to acrobats, jugglers and 60 swans gliding across the arena. It’s designed by Peter Farmer and lighting by Howard Harrison.

For 1st Night Photos, our Whatsonstage.com photographer Dan Wooller was on hand for the Swan Lake post-show party at the Royal Albert Hall along with company members and other first night guests.

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