News Story
As our spectacular 2023 Swan Lake tour comes to an end in Edinburgh, we wanted to share our favourite moments.
With six venues, and 35 shows under their belt, the touring teams, be they dancers, technical or support staff, have been working incredibly hard to deliver the same opulent grace on stage, night after night.
Our treasured production of the world's best-loved ballet was created by Sir Peter Wright and Galina Samsova, and is illuminated by Tchaikovsky's ground-shattering score played by the Royal Ballet Sinfonia.
But don't take our word for it, here's video highlights from this year's tour!
Some of our tour highlights!
1: The classic love story of Swan Lake
A glamorous Prince Siegfried is out hunting one night when he happens upon a flock of graceful swans.
When one of them turns into a beautiful woman, the Prince is utterly smitten; her name is Odette and she explains that she has fallen under an evil spell cast by the wicked Baron von Rothbart, which keeps her in swan form from dawn to dusk.
2: Sir Peter Wright's spectacular choreography
Our Swan Lake was choreographed by our Founding Director Laureate, Sir Peter Wright in 1981, and it still wows audiences today with its drama, grace and beauty!
Sir Peter is a hugely influential figure in the world of ballet; during his star-studded career he has achieved many awards such as a Knighthood and the Elizabeth II Coronation Award from the Royal Academy of Dancing.
3: Swan Lake is an incredibly special show to us
We may be a little biased here, but we love our production of Swan Lake, and we're not shy about that fact. The production is over 40 years old, so revivals come with their challenges, such as sourcing fabric for costumes, or maintaining the spectacularly dramatic sets, but the show has almost become part of our DNA as a company, becoming part of our classical repertoire.
4: Over 100 swans flocked to Theatre Royal Plymouth for our Flash Flock!
It was quite the spectacle on Thursday 9 February when we were joined at Theatre Royal Plymouth by over 100 swans of all ages to take part in our Swan Lake Flash Flock. The swans filled the theatre windows on multiple levels, and performed the repertoire taught by our incredible LEAP team!
6: World-renowned guest stars!
Our 2023 tour was made even more special by two world-class guest stars, Polina Semionova and Vadim Muntagirov.
Resident Guest Principal Artist with the Berlin State Ballet, Polina performed as Odette/Odile at Birmingham Hippodrome with Brandon Lawrence as Prince Siegfried. Carlos Acosta, Director of BRB described Polina as 'the kind of dancer that makes everything she does so special,' and these performances were no exception.
Royal Ballet Principal Vadim returned to dance with BRB for the second time on two nights at Theatre Royal Plymouth. The evening of dance we witnessed in Plymouth was electric; with Céline Gittens as Odette/Odile and Vadim performing as Prince Siegfried.
7: The unbelievable dancing from our BRB dancers
The entire company of dancers was nothing but spectacular. The spectacle on stage created an electric atmosphere in the auditorium.
Dave Massey from Brum Hour described the experience saying: 'I always find myself transported out of my seat into a totally different world at the ballet and it certainly has a magical effect on the audience. I did think it might just be the themes that make me feel like this but it is the strong storytelling and skill of the dancers that bring out these vibes.'
It is a testament to our company of dancers how they can narrate the story of Swan Lake, with no words at all. Adding to that, their ability to do so with such grace is truly mesmerising.
8: Tchaikovsky played by the Royal Ballet Sinfonia
Tchaikovsky is commonly regarded as one of the greatest composers of all time. Under the watchful eye of our talented conductors, and equally talented musicians of the Royal Ballet Sinfonia, Tchaikovsky's Swan Lake sounded as spectacular as ever.
9: The technical team that kept this monumental show on the road
Our technical team work around the clock to keep this spectacular show on the road. They've been working for months on getting every detail in place, every stage call, every lighting position (described by I Love Manchester as 'phenomenal') and every bead on the exquisite tutus designed by Philip Prowse, whose costumes were described as 'spectacularly extravagant' by The Stage.
The UK tour of Swan Lake is generously sponsored by Charles Stanley Wealth Managers
Vadim Muntagirov and Polina Semionova's appearances with Birmingham Royal Ballet are generously supported by Aud Jebsen
