Review: SWAN LAKE at Strathmore

Classical Arts Entertainment is on their annual North American tour and stopped by Strathmore on January 17th for a glitzy, glamorous rendition of Swan Lake, where the set pieces, principal dancers, and costumes shone like snow in moonlight. 

The iconic Tchaikovsky score rose with the lights, and the excitement built as the music crescendoed. The audience had time to take in the beautifully intricate, hand-painted backdrop scene of a shimmering lake under a glowing full moon. However, no dancers graced the stage for the prologue. The music itself established a thrilling beginning for the story, but one could argue that the audience was missing the visual drama and context of a dance where the evil sorcerer Rothbart bestows his wicked curse on Odette and the other princesses.

When the dancers did emerge, the scene was immediately lively and joyous, and their costuming was resplendent without being gaudy, with jewels in all the right places. The crowd-favorite Jester was expertly animated, encouraging a timid crowd’s applause with enthusiasm that did not sacrifice technical skill. He was a welcome foil to some of the subdued ensemble members who didn’t seem to present with their fullest energy.

As the party raged on, it was easy to find oneself yearning for Odette and the swans to emerge, and their appearance did not disappoint. Ilona Baitler led a perfect flock of the iconic, white tutu dancers. Baitler’s pained, yearning scowl never left her threaded brow as she curved her limbs in anguish and longing. Her transformation to Odile was no less committed; her face completely changed as a wicked, empowered smile spread across it, and she added a malicious power to her fouetté turns. 

Sergei Zdanschi as Prince Siegfried excelled in a stately style and countenance. He commanded attention in strides across the stage with a stiff, regal melancholy. This persona softened for his loving embraces with Odette and visceral hurt during the betrayal of Rothbart and Odile.  

Rothbart’s reveal was as dramatic and glittery as the rest, but he had a lack of villainous acting and energy to accompany his precise, sharp dancing. Though he was a mad flurry of dark feathers, his face was frozen with indifference. 

An unexpected peak of the ballet was the Dance of the Cygnets. Four conjoined ballerinas never faltered or fell out of place while they smoothly stepped around each other. Even the ensemble held its breath to take in their traipsing beauty. 

Classical Arts Entertainment’s Swan Lake is visually and technically stunning and a strong example of how much life this classic has left in it. The company is bringing Swan Lake—as well as The Nutcracker, Cinderella, and the Sleeping Beauty—across the United States and Canada for the rest of the year. Use the ticket link below to find a production near you. 

Act One: 62 minutes

Intermission: 20 minutes

Act Two: 46 minutes

Photo courtesy of the production.