Hull New Theatre – until 31st January 2024
Reviewed by Dawn Bennett
4****
Raymond Gubbay presents Varna International Ballet and Orchestras Swan Lake. Synopsis by Vladimir Begichev and Vasily Geltzer in collaboration with Pyotr Tchaikovsky. This was the first of three ballets, the other two being The Nutcracker on 30th January and Sleeping Beauty on 31st January all performed at The New Theatre.
The Varna International Ballet Orchestra, conducted by Peter Tuleshkov played the very recognisable music by Pytor Tchaikovsky in this adaptation of the classic ballet. The Orchestra were very good and helped create the atmosphere and ambience of the production.
The set is simple but effective, a backdrop which shows a film at the beginning of the production and changing to various animated backgrounds throughout the rest of the ballet helps portray the story and explains what was happening on the stage.
The story of Swan Lake is well portrayed and there was some good dancing in it, particularly from Martina Prefetto who played Odelle (good fairy) and Odile (alike Odette), Vittorio Scole who played Prince Siegfried and Giacomo Ammazzini who played Benno von Somerstien (The Prince’s friend). They were very expressive dancers and were able to portray this classical story well. The iconic Cygnet dance (danced by Agnese di Dio Masa, Arianna Carafa, Monica Alegre, Aurora Damele) was also well received by the audience. The other dancers and the corps de ballet were good, particularly the dance which was by the black swans, which had great timing.
Anyone new to watching ballet would enjoy this production. The audience at the nearly full theatre last night really seemed to really appreciate this ballet, from the colourful costumes, storyline, orchestra and dancing it made for an entertaining evening of ballet.