StoryHouse, Chester. Friday 16th February, with Saturday – Sunday 18th February Swan Lake. Reviewed by Julie Noller
5*****
I do not pretend to be an expert in Ballet, but I have discovered a love and respect for the extreme talent and professionalism I am always privileged to watch. Chester’s StoryHouse Theatre may not be the biggest stage in theatre land but it’s modern build and cleverly spaced seating was perfect for watching Giselle, my eyes missed no action, each twirl, each spin, my eyes were completely level with the stage and those dazzling dancers.
Giselle is one of the most classical romantic of ballets first performed in Paris in 1841, it is amazing that it survives to be performed intact. Dancers are by nature interpreters, showcasing skills and feelings. By such we should be thrilled to be witnessing this classic and so close to Valentines Day, a love story indeed. Romanticism in ballet apparently originated in Germany and is traditionally danced in long tutus. Those twirls en-pointe in long tutus fascinated me, the skill, the technique is remarkable.
If you do not know the story of Giselle then I suggest reading through the programme, it helps to understand the story unfurling on stage. You sense what is happening although I found Giselle and The Saint Petersburg Ballet to not only be technically gifted but almost perfect mime masters, over exaggerated arm movements yet so graceful, facial features were so clear and shone out across the auditorium. You could see the love, the distress the power of emotions filling the theatre.
Prima Ballerina Natalia Romanova is dazzling and electric as the young teenager Giselle who as in all fairytales falls in love with the debonair dashing Duke Albrecht Premiere Vadim Lolenko who has disguised himself as a huntsman named Loys. Despite Giselles Mother worrying that her passion for dancing will kill her and she will fall under the spell of Wilis Marina Burliai and Viktoriya Bogomazova, you sense the foreboding and fear for what may be about to happen, Giselle follows her passions as only a young teenager will. Unfortunately and unnoticed by Giselle is that she has another suitor Hilarion First Soloist Evgeniy
Silakov the local Gamekeeper, obviously driven by jealousy he discovers Albrechts secret and informs Giselle when Bathilde visits the local area that she is Albrechts Fiancee. In a heart breaking moment of madness Giselle dances away collapsing from exhaustion, he mother distraught begs her daughter to stop, each man so deeply in love with Giselle attempts to woo her away. Yet driven by despair and shock of this so recent revelation, she loses her mind, dancing and ultimately she dies. All this dancing delight in only the first Act, I couldn’t wait for the second Act. Beautiful costumes floating across the stage, delicate and graceful perfection conclude the story of Giselle. It is not a powerful muscular wow ballet but just simply stunning, you understand the story telling, you respect each and every dancer on stage, each movement is slow and precise. Both men visit Giselle’s grave to repent their part in her tragic death, unable or unwilling to aid Hilarion he is caught and dies. But that deep teenage love so pure she felt for Albrecht protects him from the Wilis and after spending a last night dancing together, I sat mesmerised by the high throws and spins. You see the dedication each member of The Saint Petersburg Ballet brings to the stage. Wonderful.