Swan Lake

There is often a sense of anticipation about a production from an international ballet company, and, while it may not be fair to our own Australian ballet, productions from overseas attract, it seems, a wider audience. So much so, that many of the houses for the Russian Ballet Tour are booked out, as was the opening night of Swan Lake.

As a production, the dancing did not disappoint. It was beautifully executed. There was precision in every scene, from the comic leaps and capers of the engaging jester to the polished, sophisticated performances of the ladies and gentlemen of the court. The swans worked in aesthetic unison with polished timing and grace, fluttering and preening behind Odette’s artistic leaps and modest diffidence – as did the four princesses as they tried to tempt the Prince. The dancers who preceded them at the court elegantly displayed the variety of steps that Tchaikovsky’s diverse little musical medley demands.

The prince himself was at all times dignified and sophisticated, his long legged elegance emphasisng the grace and precision of his skill. In his face however, there was little of the emotion or passion one expects as the sad story unfolds: neither the joy of finding Odette, nor the anguish at the possibility of losing her, was really evident. It was nice, therefore to see a slight smile at the final curtain.

Despite the beauty of the dancing and the exquisite costumes, there was something missing in the atmosphere of the performance. Perhaps it was the recorded music. Perhaps it was the unimaginative lighting. Perhaps it was the bare floorboards that reflected rather than absorbed the light. Perhaps it was a combination of all three. Whatever it was, the performance seemed to lack the sense of enchantment and magic that Tchaikovsky’s music and swans usually evoke.

That being said, this is a rare opportunity for ballet lovers to see two of Tchaikovsky’s ballets performed by this internationally hailed company in a variety of venues across this month. Some are already booked out … but do try! Despite my minor production-based reservations, the dancing is worth it.

Carol Wimmer