Swan Lake (Plymouth)

Second up on the Birmingham Royal Ballet’s touring programme is Peter Wright and Galina Samsova’s 1981 production of the timeless classic Swan Lake.

Philip Prowse provides plenty of sumptuous costume, Gothic pillars and atmospheric lakeside but the production is pared down and traditional which highlights the simplicity and fluidity of Marius Petipa, Lev Ivanov and Wright’s choreography.

Jenna Roberts is beautifully fluttery as Odette/Odile all but taking flight while entrancing the audience as well as party boy Prince Siegfried. Iain Mackay is statuesque and can certainly spin but occasionally drops out of character while aiming for the next hold or lift.

Amongst a capable crew, of note is Tom Rogers, brooding as evil von Rothbart, Momoko Hirata elfin as the Italian Princess and Victoria Marr regal as the Queen.

There is plenty of colour and passion with courtesans, courtiers and czardas galore in stark contrast with the floaty, flimsy swans who are at times out of synch but that is eclipsed by the exquisite set pieces and of course the dance of the cygnets.

And the piece de resistance is the heart-stopping opening of the last Act where the corps de ballet rises ethereally from the mist – tremendous stuff.