A ballet 50 years in the making, Swan Lake completes the Australian Ballet's spectacular season. Perhaps the most famous ballet, made even more popular by its recent film incarnation staring Natalie Portman, Swan Lake has mesmerised audiences for over a century. In each interpretation, the epic storytelling continues to be as whimsical and heartbreaking as it would have been in 1887 Moscow. In order to celebrate the remarkable achievements of the Australian Ballet and mark their 50th birthday, Artistic Director David McAllister, in conjunction with choreographer Stephen Baynes, has created a stunning tribute and a fitting send off for the season.
Baynes' latest version of the much-performed masterpiece harks back to the traditional form. Setting the piece in the 19th Century, Swan Lake is performed as it was in its first production in Russia. Delving into Prince Siegfried's psyche, Baynes looks deeper into Siegfried's story rather than the Swan Queen, the beautiful yet cursed Odette.
Everything about Swan Lake is flawless - the tragic romance, the superb choreography and elegant prose represented through elongated limbs and stunning movement.
Every aspect of the show is transporting, from the sets and background pieces that immerse the audience in their world, to the extravagant costumes that highlight the differences between air, land and water or avian and woman.
Complimented by Tchaikovsky's score, Swan Lake is nothing short of a masterpiece and the Australian Ballet's latest interpretation lives up to the daunting prospect of this oft-portrayed piece.
An absolute must for any ballet fan, Swan Lake will haunt you long after you have left the theatre, in the most pleasant of ways.
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The Australian Ballet presents
Swan Lake
with Orchestra Victoria
Venue: The Arts Centre, Melbourne State Theatre
Dates: 18th - 29th September 2012
Bookings: www.australianballet.com.au
