| Swan Lake is the second production that I have seen in the Northern Ballet Theatres current tour, the first being the superb Midsummer Nights Dream. And while their Tchaikovsky classic is very different from the fun and exuberant Dream it is no less beautiful or enjoyable. Once again, this company is not all tutus and tights! Swan Lake is probably the most famous of all ballets but in true NBT style, the story has been changed somewhat (cue a sharp intake of breath from the purists!) but nevertheless there are still enough swans to satisfy the traditionalists! Impression
Set at the beginning of the 20th century, a young boy Anthony stumbles upon a dead swan whilst playing by a lake. This experience leaves a lasting impression on him. Later on in life, the older Anthony (Jonathan Ollivier) is attracted to his friend Simon (Christopher Hinton-Lewis), but worried about what this means, he marries Odilia (Victoria Lane Green) to please his mother and evade what he really feels. But when he cant fulfil his marital obligations he finds a new outlet that brings relief. He retreats into the world of the swans that had made such and impression on him, in particular a curious yet beautiful woman Odette (Keiko Amemori). In his programme notes, Artistic Director David Nixon talks of a production of Swan Lake that he was in when with the National Ballet of Canada. It was slated by the critics but he says that their words fell of deaf ears because the company preferred their production over others that had appeared soulless showcases for technique rather than movement and emotion. Drama
I think that Nixon has obviously brought this premise to his own version and it is what the NBT do so well. Rather than being just a lot of pretty steps by men in tights and women in tutus, his Swan Lake is real drama. The superb Jonathan Ollivier makes the anguish and torment that Anthony suffers palpable and is able to convey the dramatic feelings of confusion during his sexual awakening and combine them with some awesome leaps. Similarly there was Christopher Hinton-Lewiss almost puppy dog adoration of Anthony and both his and Victoria Lane Greens feelings of unrequited love were heartbreaking as they portrayed emotions that the audience could identify with. And this is the key to NBTs success. Whilst the purists might complain, this company, along with those like Matthew Bournes, are helping to bring dance and inspiration to new audiences and that is very important. Passion
But at the same time, while the love triangle story is one that a modern audience can relate to and really reflects the passion inherent in Tchaikovskys music, there are still the traditional elements and the mythical world of water, where swans can appear as women, is retained. The setting is haunting and mystical, while the ending is sad but beautiful. The modern twist not only breathes new life into a classic but it cuts through the fairy tale and brings a relevance to todays audiences that is sometimes lost when youve got sorcerers who turn people into swans! It was quite mesmerising. Not all tutus and tights!
Read our interview with Jonathan Ollivier Read our review of A Midsummer Night's Dream >> | 
Listen to the interview with Jonathan Ollivier before Swan Lake
