Reviewing from a filmed version of any production will lose some of the emotions evoked from a live performance. With Ballet and Opera it is listening to the Orchestra warming up and the hearing the buzz of the audience as they take their seats. On the plus side it opens up some venues and places to be accessed from a large range of audiences who might find travelling, cost or mobility a struggle and can therefore be included to watch some incredible productions.

Derek Deane’s Swan Lake had been filmed during a performance by The English Ballet in the Round at The Royal Albert Hall. This production marks the 75th season Anniversary.

Lead Principal Sangeun Lee as Odette/ Principal Gareth Haw as Prince Siegfried brings beauty and magic to life in this English Ballet production. The romance blossoms between the Swan Queen Odette and Prince Siegfried and grows amidst the other swans (dancers) who silently and elegantly move around them.

Two of the many bonuses for me in watching the recorded version are the incredible aerial recordings watching the ensemble ballet dancers. Stage director and choreographer Deane has created a wonderful range of scenes and the precision by the dancers is beguiling. The second one is the close-up shots where you can see the costumes and make-up in finer detail. Something that can be often lost by the views from the auditorium especially in The Royal Albert Hall.

The storyline for Swan Lake is well-known and easily researched. Each Ballet company add their twists and turns to the story and staging. With the vast space of the round there was plenty of scope for all the dancers and the space was utilised to the maximum. For me, Swan Lake is as much about the visual side of the story as the well-known music by Tchaikovsky.

Deane has created a superb and beautiful production of the classic Ballet which i available to be enjoyed by a wider audience in Cinemas.

For more Information please look out for further screenings in cinemas across the United Kingdom.

Five Stars.

Further Information about the production is below.

Cinemas across the UK and internationally will screen the stunning in-the-round production this Autumn – it is a unique ENB’s offering of an unmissable 360° view of one of the most popular ballets of all time. With 60 dancing swans, exquisite choreography and Tchaikovsky’s unforgettable score played live by English National Ballet Philharmonic, the film will take audiences to the very heart of this celebrated classic.

Cast and Creatives

Choreography and Stage Direction  Derek Deane

Music  Pyotr Ilyich Tchaikovsky

Design       Peter Farmer  

Lighting Design       Howard Harrison

Conductor       Gavin Sutherland   

Cast   Odette/ Odile       Sangeun Lee

Prince Siegfried       Gareth Haw

Rothbart       James Streeter  

Queen       Jane Haworth  

Tutor      Michael Coleman.