Swan Lake is a timeless story of love, and of the battle between good and evil. Prince Siegfried has declared his love for Princess Odette, only to be thwarted by malicious forces and social conventions. The evil Baron von Rothbart has transformed Odette and her companions into swans and determined that Seigfried shall marry his daughter Odile.

Opening with the funeral cortege of Siegfried’s father, a sombre mood is established from the start. Mathias Dingman’s performance of the Prince embodies this. His enrapture with Odette, danced by Momoko Hirata, is tinged with longing, whilst Hirata’s beautifully controlled performance is laden with sorrow. Their several dances together have a sense of anguish, and the pas de deux of Act II, in particular, conveys a sense of their wanting the unobtainable.

The character of Benno, danced by Riku Ito, friend and equerry to the Prince, presents a striking contrast with the Prince, whilst Odile (Momoko Hirata) is the black swan to Odette’s white swan. Ito’s performance is light and full of joy, whereas Dingman portrays strength and endurance. As Odile, Hirata is knowingly seductive, whereas as Odette’s fragility and fluidity suggest openness and innocence.

Set and costuming add depth to the story. In the opening scene, an austere castle and a dark sky tower over the stage. Costumes are in subdued greens and greys, the Prince himself in black. The feeling of foreboding is strong.

The ballroom scene of Act III is sumptuous. Furnishings and costumes are gold and red, many of them heavily braided. Performances of national dances from elsewhere add to the sense of occasion, and the opulence of the scene indicates the forces stacked against Siegfried and Odette’s love for each other. In contrast, lakeside scenes have a sense of the ethereal. As the swans gather round Odette to protect her from evil, so the theme of true love is sustained.

Added to this richness is superb dancing by both leads and the corps de ballet. Hirata’s delivery of 32 fouetté turns is perfect whilst Dingman’s Act II solo combines elegance with exuberance. The challenging Dance of the Cygnets in Act II is stunning, their pure white dresses brilliant against the dark backdrop. Rising up from the mist on the lake in Act IV, the swans’ performance is another high.

Tchaikovsky’s wonderful melodies are in turns exhilarating and haunting. The swan theme of Act II is full of premonition whilst the music for the Dance of the Cygnets is light and playful.

Filled with contrasts which convey both light and dark, this production Swan Lake is both majestic and passionate. It is well worth seeing.

On press night, Odette / Odile was danced by Momoko Hirata and Prince Siegfried was danced by Mathias Dingman. Benno was danced by Riku Ito, Baron von Rothbart by Jonathan Payn. The Cygnets were Olivia Chang-Clarke, Rosanna Ely, Sofia Liñares and Rachelle Pizzillo.

Swan Lake was choreographed by Marius Petipa, Lev Ivanov and Peter Wright. Designs were by Philip Prowse and lighting by Peter Teigen. Production was by Peter Wright and Galina Samsova. Music was by Pyotr Ilyich Tchaikovsky and was performed by the Royal Ballet Sinfonia.

Swan Lake is at the Birmingham Hippodrome until 3rd October. For further information visit birminghamhippodrome.com.

Pic – (c) Clive Booth.