Home MuseumsMusicals Plays Opera Ballet 39 Steps Billy Elliot Blood BrothersChicagoDirty Dancing Grease Jersey BoysLes Miserables Mamma Mia Mousetrap Phantom of the Opera Priscilla Queen of the DesertStomp The Lion King The Woman in Black Thriller - LiveWe Will Rock YouWicked Madam Butterfly - The Coliseum Swan Lake - Royal Opera HouseOther Attractions Around The WorldLondon Beauty Guide

Swan Lake

Running until the beginning of April at the Royal Opera House, the Royal Ballet Company’s performance of Swan Lake is really as good as it gets in terms of this type of performance. Indeed tackling one of the most famous and well-loved ballets in the world is no mean feat, but the dancers here rise to the task with aplomb.

This particular production of the Tchaikovsky classic is based around the visual wonder of Faberge. This interesting take on a very well known ballet adds new interest to a show which many might have thought would not be able to really surprise them anymore. The result of this interesting angle is a sumptuous visual extravaganza where both the dancers and the scenery look absolutely beautiful. Whilst ballet is not for everyone, those who are fans are really seeing talent and creativity and poise at its pinnacle if they choose to attend this particular show.

The ballet is, essentially, a re-telling of the ancient folkloric tale of the Swan Maiden but it has really transcended the history from which the story came out of and its music is recognisable to almost everybody with but a fleeting interest in culture. Those purists who guard the score with vigour and zeal will not be disappointed by this show, under the conduction of Boris Gruzin, the music flows seductively and ethereally through the Royal Opera House and this, coupled with Yolanda Sonnabend’s stunning designs, truly gives the impression of being transported into another mythical world.

As is usual, three different dancers have taken upon the role of Odette and Odile, to play them on different nights, and four main male dancers have taken upon the role of Prince Seigfried. If you are a fan of the Royal Ballet and would like to see a certain performer and book your tickets accordingly then, if you go online, you will be able to see which cast members are to do which performances. Of course, this is the Premier League of Ballet, so whichever performance you go to will be spectacular and arresting.

Because of the length of this Ballet, and a difficult narrative strand to follow if one is not familiar with the story, youngsters who are not initiated into Ballet may well find this show tedious, but for those of us who love ballet, this really is a treat. Go along and be stunned.