On a chilly January evening long queues of people, predominantly women dressed in smart winter coats, descended upon the Manchester Opera House for Nerubashenko Ballet’s Swan Lake. Even Corrie’s Jennie McAlpine, who plays Fiz Dobbs, was among those filing into the theatre for the performance.
Swan Lake is one of the best-loved ballets in the world, combining Pyotr Tchaikovsky’s beautiful music with a magical fairytale. It tells the story of Prince Siegfried, who falls in love with Odette, the queen of the swans, who has been cursed by the sorcerer Rothbart.
It’s Tcahikobsly’s music which immersed us in this world first of all, as the orchestra began playing before the curtain even rose. As the stage was unveiled, the audience was transported to a mediaeval party scene where we were introduced to Prince Siegfried, performed by Yerkin Rakhmatullayev.
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Act one got off to a slow start and there were a few disruptions from the audience due to late arrivals, but the atmosphere soon picked up thanks to the entertaining Jester, played by Ulan Beisenbayev. He managed to convey the character’s mischievous nature, grinning broadly as he playfully interacted with the other dancers.
Taking huge leaps in the air with a clear athletic ability, yet still maintaining a graceful form, Beisenbayev’s performance was one of the strongest of the whole production and the ensemble dances appeared underwhelming in comparison. The audience lapped it up, too, laughing at his antics and applauding his pirouettes.
After a very brief pause to change the set, which caused some confusion as to whether it was an interval or not, we were finally introduced to the swans. Wearing beautiful white tutus, the dancers became elegant, bird-like creatures as they moved across the stage.
During the swan scenes it was clear that the star of the show is Kateryna Floria, who masterfully plays both Odette, the white swan, and Odille, the black swan. Each of her dances was captivating; whether performing alone or dancing with Siegfried, Floria completely dominated the stage with her presence.
With subtle and careful movements her arms became wings, gently pulsing along to the music. At other times her body created bold shapes with impressive back bends and folds which verge on the impossible.
We returned to the human world in act two and it did feel as if some of the magic was lost with the departure of the swans, although this was quickly made up by the Jestor’s spritely presence. The tale then takes a sinister twist with the arrival of the sorcerer and Odille, who seduces Siegfried.
There’s a particularly beautiful moment where we see Odette, glowing in white, as she dances behind a silk screen while Siegfried is mesmerised by the black swan in the foreground. The final act, naturally takes place at the lake, and we are - at last - treated to that iconic Swan Lake theme in full, which has been teased to us as a motif throughout.
As the dancers took their bows at the end the audience clapped, whooped and even appropriately booed the evil Rothbart. Although the loudest applause was reserved for Floria - and quite rightly so.
You can catch a second performance of Swan Lake this evening (January 20). Nerubashenko Ballet will also be performing The Nutcracker at Manchester Opera House on Saturday, January 21.
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