BWW Reviews: VIENNA FESTIVAL BALLET 35TH ANNIVERSARY GALA, Old Rep Theatre Birmingham, May 30 2015

Without a resident theatre or base, Vienna Festival Ballet have achieved remarkable things over the last 35 years since its conception by Austria's most successful ballet dancer, Peter Mallek. They are very much a touring company living and working out of a suitcase but in doing so, have created a solid reputation in many countries. This production is a showcase of several of their favourite Tchaikovsky ballets within their repertoire to celebrate achievements made working independently for so many years.

Ballets featured within the gala include Swan Lake, Sleeping Beauty, The Nutcracker, Snow White, Coppelia and the more contemporary Rhapsody in Blue. All choreography is made to suit the smaller theatres in which they perform. Aside from a couple of backdrops, two pieces of furniture and a selection of hand props; it is purely reliant on the strength of the dancing. In general, the skills shown by the company are very impressive and enraptures the audience. Occasionally when performing in pairs, they were not entirely together which did stand out but this was very infrequent.,

Act One of Sleeping Beauty features heavily at the start of the show. The costumes initially seemed a little tired amongst the ensemble but when the principals were introduced, their outfits were beautifully made with exquisite detailing. Perdita-Jayne Lancaster shines as Princess Aurora whilst she celebrates her 16th birthday and dances with all four Princes during the Rose Adagio. She exercised great control and being her first professional lead role, Lancaster did so beautifully.

Rhapsody in Blue by George Gershwin is a great addition to a somewhat classical programme. Whilst still being very precise and technical, the dancers are able to unleash their inner jazziness. It is quite a feisty number and the ballerinas certainly captured the essence of the piece, particularly Emily-Joy Smith who was mesmerising throughout with her characterisation.

Another highlight is the excerpt from Swan Lake, performed exquisitely by Smith and Ben Cook. Cook provides solid support for Smith and their pas de deux is breathtakingly stunning. The Cygnet Pas de Quatre is superbly synchronised and should be commended as well.

Vienna Festival Ballet's 35th Anniversary Gala ends its tour in Warrington this evening (31st May) but their productions of Coppelia and The Nutcracker will be visiting theatres nationwide from the end of September until December 2015.

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