Rojo Reviews RB ‘Swan Lake’ reviews ‘Swan Lake’ reviews all RB reviews

I braved the West Coast main line trains on Wednesday to see Tamara Rojo, and it wasn't easy - delays and cancellations everywhere, and I arrived in London three hours late. Luckily I'd allowed a lot of time, but I had to forego an afternoon's shopping.

It was worth the journey! I'd never seen Rojo before, having always managed to miss her on tour with the ENB. At her first entrance I wasn't sure. She didn't look quite as I expected from photos, and I thought there was something just slightly odd about her proportions, but it may have been the costume. But I was converted in no time at all, and on reflection I think she was certainly one of the best Odette/Odiles I have ever seen. The Act 2 adagio was absolutely ravishing. She is one of those dancers who seems to take all the time in the world, yet is always within the music. Her leisurely, perfectly controlled pirouettes are a joy. A bit too much of the florid Makarova hands for my taste, but I do realise this is a matter of taste.

Her characterisation was subtle, but clear. You felt every nuance of Odette's feelings. Odile was luscious and seductive without being flashy or vulgar - wonderful conspiratorial sideways glances at the audience. Without question she can take her place among the greats. When she was on stage, there was that total stillness in the audience that you only get occasionally. But just to get things in proportion, at the end of Act 2, a woman behind me who was clearly there to show off her diamonds, turned to her neighbour and said "Who's dancing the lead tonight?"

As for other aspects of the performance, I thought none of the men were outstanding. Persson was OK, and was clearly trying hard to live up to Tamara dramatically, but I didn't feel he quite managed it. Alina Cojocaru was lovely as ever in the pas de trois. The gorgeous Neapolitan dance (Morera and Essakow) has been more joyous, I think. The little girls in Act 1 were lovely. And I really like the production (except for Act 4) and the scenery - I love the Chinese lanterns, and the mirror in Act 3. I realise not everyone agrees with me! Some of the costumes did make me think I was back in the Kirov's Sleeping Beauty, though luckily I never felt as if I was in the Kirov's Swan Lake.