Review: Swan Lake sparkles for audience

A crowd of all ages fronted up in their finest for the Russian Imperial Ballet tour of Swan Lake.

Russian Imperial Ballet tour of Swan Lake
Napier Municipal Thestra
Wednesday, November 18
Reviewed by Kaysha Brownlie

A crowd of all ages fronted up in their finest for the Russian Imperial Ballet tour of Swan Lake.

Elderly couples walked hand in hand, women sparkled in sequin dresses and tiny tots sat wide-eyed with ballerina-buns atop their heads.

The theatre sank into darkness as two spotlights beamed on the red curtains which closed the stage. That telltale music of Swan Lake began, slow at first and then building as the crowd's anticipation did. Well over five minutes later the curtains remained flush to the floor.

Utterances of broken curtains, forgetfulness and their faded appearance spread like a wave throughout the audience. The lengthy introduction was met with relief when the curtain finally lifted to reveal sparkling, elegant ballerinas with impossibly long limbs.

The ballet followed the original storyline but with a happy ending which came into play during Soviet rule in the 1930s during the reign of then Russian leader Stalin. The Evil Genius had bewitched sweet girls and turned them into graceful swans. This terrible spell was only removed when Prince Siegfried fell in love with Odette, The Queen of Swans.

Prince Siegfried was willing to sacrifice his life for Odette. These profound feelings killed the Evil Genius and the prince and Odette lived happily ever after.

The full length, normally three-part ballet was performed in two halves, with the second and third part incorporated in the second half. The second break was marked by a drawn curtain and a long musical interlude, although fitting for the story, this once again drew an awkward sitting within the crowd. The performance built as the costumes did. The second half started with an explosion of colour and an impressive show of leaps and humour from the jokers which wowed the crowd. Dancers came to life and a clear highlight was Lina Seveliova's flawless execution of the dual role of Odette/Odile.

Despite a reserved first half, a sense of character shone through with smirks and sass that reflected the bold costumes and Odile's black tutu.

Technique could not be faulted with heels closed and legs turned out at every turn and leap. Angles and lines were beautifully formed as each dancer kept to the same very last second. Male dancers were equally as astounding, clearing well over a metre in leaps and pulling off seamless pirouttes in fours.

The triumphant story of betrayal and power eventually conquered by love and forgiveness played out in a world with mystical creatures and exquisite costuming.