The visit of the Russian State Ballet and Opera House to the Everyman has become a regular autumn fixture and judging by last night’s full-house for Swan Lake, one which ballet lovers in Cheltenham have come to eagerly anticipate. Producer Alexej Ignatow of Amande Concerts is dedicated to bringing top quality provincial Russian companies to the UK and making classical ballet available to the often dance-starved provinces here.
The current Russian company is from Astrakhan and one with very high standards. As I have stated before on these pages, I am not a great classical ballet fan, preferring modern dance, but I have to confess the more I see it, the more I like it. Swan Lake, along with the other two pieces currently being performed, Nutcracker and Sleeping Beauty, are the most popular and oft performed pieces bordering on “oh no, not again” status but the Russians always bring something new to their shows.
The opening scene was possibly the weakest part of the evening and fairly conventional. The corps de ballet was very young; the girls were fine but the boys were not fantastic with one or two rather weak links. But things picked up with the entrance of Danil Sokolov as Prince Siegfried, a dancer from the very best classical mould, all pert bum and floppy hair. He really held the stage and the audience in his hands while he was on.
But it was with the arrival of Act II that the production really came into its own. The slow transformation from palace to lakeside was very slow in subdued light and managed to create a very strong sense of mystery and anticipation. When the low side lights came up for the Valse des cygnes the effect was bordering on breath-taking. This was the strongest part of the evening and was visually exceptional.
The dancing from the principals was of a very high standard and Sokolov’s numerous pas de deux with Anna Pigalkina as Odette were outstanding. I thought Von Rothbart could have been a bit more evil but Maksim Melnikov played well against the Prince. I liked Maria Stetc as Odile and Igor Likhanov was an engaging Benno.
While the principals were all excellent, the corps and some of the soloists were less so, the main weakness being with the boys. That said, Le Danse des petits cygnes was prettily done and some of the national dances of Act III were fine with some very attractive costumes.
But returning lakeside in Act IV, the production again shone, with beautiful lighting and setting which combined to create a fairy-tale atmosphere. The Russian State Ballet and Opera House brings to the UK Russian dance as good as, or better than, you will find elsewhere. If popular classical ballet is what you want, this is the company to see. ★★★★☆ Michael Hasted 28th October 2016
SLEEPING BEAUTY – 28th October
THE NUTCRACKER – 29th October
