Swan Lake at Queen Elizabeth Theatre

The National Ballet of China, founded in 1959, has created a unique fusion between western classical ballet and Chinese culture by developing its own works that represent the varied characteristics of China. On its first Canadian tour, this production of Swan Lake, choreographed by the great Russian ballerina Natalia Makarova, showcases the company’s solid foundation in Russian-style classical ballet. The strong, assured ensemble is grandly suited to the extreme demands of the classical style. The placement of the dancer’s body, the articulation of phrasing, the ravishing flo?w of movement and the perfect outlines of a gesture as it lingers on the air, are tribute to the gifted dancers as well as to the academic discipline that has shaped the entire ensemble. Particularly noteworthy are the white swan-maidens of this famous ballet who are a marvel of schooling and disciplined intelligence, showing off the astonishing technical skill that highlights the stylistic brilliance of this production. The ardours and sense of mystery—drama as hallucination—inherent in Swan Lake are beautifully framed by Peter Farmer’s darkly brooding designs.