BRB 'Swan Lake' reviews Helimets in reviews Smollen in reviews recent BRB reviews more Trog Woolley reviews Discuss this review (Open for at least 6 months)

Molly Smollen tackled the dual role of Odette/Odile in a manner that I have not seen before and this brought a new dimension to the work, which is no mean feat, as like most of us balletomanes, I have lost count of the number of times that I have seen this ballet, in various guises. Usually we see a very fragile Odette and a more rumbustious Odile, but none of that for Miss Smollen. Her Odette was clearly very depressed and solemn; it can be no fun knowing that one is doomed to spend the rest of one's life as a swan. We saw a view of a young women who has fallen on very hard times. In contrast, her Odile came across as being almost lascivious; she was going to seduce Prince Siegfried and she was not afraid to do what must be done.

I have never felt that she looked comfortable in classical roles; she is a fine dancer and gave a sterling performance in Five Brahms Waltzes in the manor of Isadora Duncan, but her classical efforts have (for me anyway) lacked an indefinable something. All of this changed a couple of weeks ago, when she featured in the Evening of Music and Dance in Symphony Hall, during with she danced (with Tiit Helimets) some of the pdd's from Swan Lake. After seeing them I was very much hoping that they would be be performing on the night I was attending Swan Lake, and joy of joys, they indeed were.

With fine acting and some not half bad dancing, I was sold.

Mr Helimets looked the part of the prince as he always does; being young, devastatingly handsome and from a similar part of Europe as in the story helps. Invariably he comes on, quietly does his bit and leaves, letting his almost effortless technique carry the role. He does look good in the pure classical roles. I have seen both dancers roles before, and previously I was not keen; things have clearly improved!

Benno was danced by that little powerhouse Kosuke Yamamoto, who I have also seen in this role before. Last time I felt he looked a little nervous; he was a replacement which probably didn't help in that regard. He really stole the show with his very OTT leaps. This time, he was more confident and more controlled, but still managed some very spectacular and tidy dancing. I always like to see him.

I invariably feel a rush when the swan corps run on at the start of Act II; this time was no different, however I experienced a definite shiver down my spine, before they had even appeared. Such is the effect that my favourite act has on me. I love spotting the corps, to see if any of my favourite dancers appear. I won't say who they are, but I was very lucky last night! Anyway, the swan-girls were immaculate as always; I sometimes wonder if they get bored with doing Swan Lake but if they do, they hid it well. In the act III character dances Elisha Willis really chucked it about as the Hungarian Princess, and a slightly more restrained Lei Zhao was the Polish Princess. Miss Willis is fairly new to the company, while Miss Zhao has been there for ages, and I have watched her develop over the years. I reckon both of these ladies are destined for stardom.

The set is very dark and menacing; Hammer House of Horror in the extreme. This provides maximum contrast for the white sections of the ballet. Many of the BRB sets are dark and in a very similar style.

This was a full box of tissues jobbie. It is going to be very difficult for me to see another classical Swan Lake after this.