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Ellen Kent at the Empire, Tchaikovsky's Swan Lake
More than a decade of Ellen Kent productions has bought Liverpool yet another dazzling performance of Tchaikovsky's Swan Lake, performed by The Russian Classical Ballet Theatre.
Seize the opportunity to witness this famous ballet, performed with such precision and skill that you cannot help but be drawn in.
This is a performance which is given in three parts, and each is as spectacular as the one before.
When the scene first opens upon Prince Siegfried's court, you are stunned by the beauty of the costumes and the atmospheric backdrop of the fateful lake.
The clown, danced by Andriy Kozarezov, is fantastic. His costume is a visual feast and each step is performed with grace and aesthetic beauty.
We are then introduced to Prince Siegfried himself, played by Alexei Terentiev. As his coming-of-age party continues, the audience and a dancer, is in for a delight.
By now, the audience is completely drawn into the story. While there are plenty of applause for the ballet stars, and the sound of applause is deafening, it is easy to see that all are focused to watch the Prince and Odette, the queen of the swans, meet and profess their love by the lake side.
Kristina Terentiev is stunning as both Odette and Odile, but her best performance comes as she tells Prince Siegfried of the terrible curse which has been placed upon her by the treacherous Baron Von Rothbart, to be a swan by day and only in her true form at night.
By now the audience has heard the most memorable part of the Tchaikovsky's Swan Lake Ballet, and it is firmly cemented within your mind. The orchestra astounds with subtle changes in volume, interpreting the mood of the story with stunning effect.
As merriment continues, now set against the backdrop of a beautiful castle, Baron Von Rothbart, Roman Taranenko, enters accompanying his daughter Odile, who bears a stunning resemblance to Odette.
The Prince is taken with her, and instantly agrees to the betrothal. Although the third part is by far the most emotive in Swan Lake, the dancing cannot be rivalled in the second. Once again the Clown stuns, as do the many dancers who perform at the party. In particular, the Spanish inspired ballet sequence is a delight.
Finally, all is transformed again. The audience wait with bated breath as they see Prince Siegfried, aware that he has been tricked, go to find Odette, and explain his mistake. He is forgiven, and they dance together, their last dance. This can only be described as memorable, breathtaking.
However, what really shines here is the fight between Prince Siegfried and Baron Von Rothbart, a fight to the death. The vibrant music, harsh and powerful, accompanied by the flashes of lightening, highlight the destruction as Prince Siegfried dies. Although the spell is finally broken, Odette rests her head against her dead loves chest, and dies also.
Swan Lake is an emotive and powerful piece, and is performed magnificently in this production. I challenge anyone to go, and not enjoy it.
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