Cape Times, South Africa
By Sheila Chisholm
As was the case with the Imperial Ice Skaters' Sleeping Beauty production two years ago, this Swan Lake version isn't a regurgitation of Petipa/Ivanov's ballet with skating boots replacing ballet shoes. It stands on its own as an exciting visual spectacle and superbly structured work, while retaining the essence of Begitchev and Geltser's fairytale.
Choreographer Tony Mercer and musical arranger Tim A Duncan have produced a scenario and score which recreates Tchaikovsky's original intention to have Odette and Odile danced by different dancers. Odile is played by the beautiful, slim-legged multi-award-winner Olena Pyatash, while Odette is played by the talented Olga Sharutenko.
Mercer has also broadened Prince Siegfried (Vadim Yarkov), Benno (Andrei Penkine) and Rothbart's (Sergei Sakhnovski) roles to add plausibility to the storyline, giving this trio a fine opportunity to showcase why, between them, they have an awesome collection of awards.
Where in ballet a poor preparation or finish on a double tour en l'air is unlikely to have catastrophic results, on ice the performers' preparations for tours en l'air and landings must be precise. And they were. Penkine's brilliant footwork, timing, tricks and sense of humour continually drew spontaneous applause.
The lake-side scene is striking. Odette and her swan/women attendants appeared to float.
Mercer's exacting choreography for the "little swans" pas de quatre was outstanding, as was the final sword fight between Rothbart and Siegfried.
Although the ballroom divertissements were not as interestingly arranged as other passages, and skaters lost their grace when they donned pointe shoes, everything is detailed and thought through. Costumes, sets, lighting, music recordings, presentation and performers are top-rate. Mercer's choreography abounds with spectacular pas de deux, multiple turns, leaps and stunts.