Spectacular sets, Tchaikovsky’s magnificent score, resplendent costumes, lyrical beauty and, of course, spell-binding ballet, make the St Petersburg Ballet Theatre’s Swan Lake a joy to watch.


The marvellous sets whisk you off on a whimsical fantasy, where nobles grace imperial ballrooms decked in ornate gold trimmings and bewitched princess dance the night away in front of a moonlit lake and the castle of the evil sorcerer.


Prima Ballerina Irina Kolesnikova dances the roles of Odette and Odile with exquisite control. As Odette, she is regal and serene, capturing the fragility and spirit of the swan, with the liquid movements of her adagio. There are moments when you can almost see her wingspan and slender elongated neck, so expressive are her gestures.


As Odile she is fiery and beguiling. Her execution of the 32 fouettés in the Black Swan Pas de Deux is breathtaking. She infuses each role with passion and individuality.


As her partner, Dmitriy Akulinin is the perfect Prince Siegfried. Young and dashing he fits the bill of a ‘Prince Charming’. More importantly however, he dances with an elegance, grace and technical proficiency that does not pale next to his enchanting partner, but rather enhances her performance.


Energetic and playful, Artur Martirosian is a delightful Jester, charming the audience with his gravity defying jumps. Dymchik Saikeev is devilish as the evil sorcerer Van Rothbart, infusing the role with sinister cunning and deceit. With his inexplicably light touch, he is a pleasure to watch.


Olga Suvorova, Lilia Akhmetshina, Asiya Lukmanova and Sabina Yapparova execute the dance of the Four Little Swans with immaculate timing and precise footwork. The corps de ballet are most polished in the swan scenes, but most captivating in the ballroom scene.


Tchaikovsky’s magnificent score is brought to life by the Cape Philharmonic Orchestra under the expert guidance of St Petersburg conductor Vadim Nikitin. The violin solos by Mikhail Chausovki are poignantly beautiful.