Dance review: Ballet West: Swan Lake, Brunton Theatre, Musselburgh

By KELLY APTER
Published on Saturday 11 February 2012 02:51

STAGING one of the “big white ballets” is a task and a half for any company. So when a group of students takes on a production of Swan Lake, you know they’re made of strong stuff.

To be fair, this was more a “medium-sized” than a “big” white, but given the venue, it was just as well. The Brunton stage isn’t exactly tailor-made for a ballet of this scale (as one poor dancer found to his dismay, as he tripped over a badly positioned speaker) but somehow they managed to squeeze a corps of 25 on to it.

The odd slip and stumble, and some terrible computer imagery aside, this impressive young company really did give their all. Based in Taynuilt, Argyll, the Ballet West school has a strong reputation, and rightly so. There’s only so much you can teach a young dancer in the studio – it’s on stage that the real learning takes place, and these dedicated students are well on their way to a polished professionalism. Of course, it didn’t hurt that they were joined by two technically proficient dancers, who have already proved their mettle with some of Britain and America’s finest ballet companies.

Sara-Maria Smith knew exactly how to handle the dual role of Odette and Odile, giving the former a tender sadness and the latter an air of mischievous deceit. Similarly, Michael Bearden poured heart and soul into his love-struck prince.

Rating; ***

Logged in as:

Comment here. Start typing your comment here:

Post comment

Please adhere to our Community guidelines

Your view

Please sign in to be able to comment on this story.