When Swans Swam as One
The State Ballet of Georgia has put itself up there in the Top Ten of classical ballet companies with memorable choreography, beautiful dancing and breathtaking productions that overwhelm with glorious sets and costumes. Add this to Pyotr Ilych Tchaikovsky at the top of his game with Swan Lake and you know you are in for an unforgettable evening, writes Michael Holland.
The company has grown in stature under the artistic guidance of Nina Ananiashvili, former prima ballerina with the Bolshoi Ballet and American Ballet Theatre, and she now brings the company back to London for a very welcome return visit with a version staged by her long-term dancing partner, the renowned Alexei Fadeechev.
And what a production it is. From the very start you are drawn in to the story of the young Prince Siegfried having to choose a bride at the upcoming ball.
As night falls the autumnal hues of the park change to moonlight blue and while the prince and his friends are out hunting a flock of swans appear and change into alluring maidens as they step out of the lake. The hunters are in disarray.
Odette, the Queen of the Swans, relates their sad tale of being cursed to Siegfried, a curse that can only be broken if someone falls in love the her. Yes, that old chestnut.
Needless to say, at the ball the prince has Odette on his mind while his mother despairs at her son not being able to choose from the comely ladies she has paraded for him. The story, of course, ends happily but getting there is a series of set pieces that mesmerise.
With no words but majestic music and movement to follow the tale it is easy to forget the narrative and allow yourself to be entranced as the swans trip across the stage as one, falling and flowing with every beat that emanates from the brilliant ENO Orchestra, led wonderfully by conductor Papuna Gvaberidze. What joy.
Nino Samadashvili as Odette/Odile soaks up the adulation flowing from the audience on several occasions before moving on. Oleg Lihai as Prince Siegfried waits until the final bows for his.
London Coliseum, St Martin’s Lane, London WC2N 4ES until 8th September. Times: Evening Performances Wednesday – Saturday 7.30pm; Matinees Thursday Saturday and Sunday 2.30pm.
Full tour details and booking: https://www.bordgaisenergytheatre.ie/show/swan-lake-state-ballet-of-georgia/
