The English National Ballet brought perhaps one of the worlds most loved classic ballets of all time, Swan Lake, to Manchester this week. Set to Tchaikovsky’s instantly recognisable score, the show tells the story of Prince Siegfried’s love for the Swan Queen Odette and the battle they have with evil sorcerer Von Rothbart who further complicates things by introducing the beautiful, bewitching black swan, Odile to try and tempt the Prince away from his true love Odette.
This delightful production had the audience enchanted from the moment the curtain was raised. Derek Deane’s choreography is exquisite, visually stunning and totally mesmerising. Prima ballerina, Alina Cojocaru is enthralling; her portrayal of the contrasting roles of Odette and Odile is exceptional. Odette is delicate, pure and graceful, compared to the seductive, scampish and devious Odile. Cojocaru is perfect in this role, complimented beautifully by Cuban dancer, Alejandro Virelles, who amazingly is making his debut for the company in the role of Prince Siegfried. Strong, athletic and gentle, the partnership between the two principles has the audience totally captivated.
English National Ballet has succeeded once again in making ballet accessible for both young and old, long standing ballet fans and first timers alike. An absolute pleasure from start to finish.
The English National Ballet orchestra, conducted brilliantly by Gavin Sutherland play Tchaikovsky’s score beautifully creating just the right amount of drama and emotion. Wonderfully clear storytelling allows the production to move at a perfect pace with the use of two intervals allowing the production to proceed with greater force, bringing the audience back to their seats after each eager for more.
As well as outstanding principles the artists of the company do not disappoint, a particular highlight for me was Act II when Prince Siegfried first stumbles upon Odette and her fellow swans. Visually stunning we see twenty four dancers on stage, dressed in classic white tutu’s it’s almost as if they are floating as they effortlessly move across the stage in perfect harmony, totally and utterly magical.
English National Ballet has succeeded once again in making ballet accessible for both young and old, long standing ballet fans and first timers alike. An absolute pleasure from start to finish.
