WITH all the hype that surrounds a visiting Russian ballet company, one can
only hope that the dancers live up to it.


But after seeing the publicity photographs for St Petersburg Ballet Theatre's production of Swan Lake beforehand (captured through the eyes of a dancer and not a professional
photographer), I knew this was going to be superb. And it was.


I have to admit that I have in the past struggled to stay awake through performances of Swan Lake - it's about three hours long with two intervals - but Konstantin Tachkin's St Petersburg Ballet Theatre production, sold out before opening night in Durban, was so perfect no one could have slept. The KZN Philharmonic Orchestra fell under the baton of charismatic Russian principal conductor Alexander Kantorov set the tone as the curtain lifted on Act 1.


The larger-than-life sets, magnificent costumes and outstanding cast far exceeded my expectations.


Prima ballerina Irina Kolesnikova demonstrated what makes a ballet legend. Her interpretation of the Odette/Odile role was exquisitely graceful and passionate. I've never seen such physical expression, extension and technique in a ballerina.


A highlight is the dance of the cygnets, and this was perfectly in unison.But, for me one of the most memorable performances was that of Dmychik Saykeev as Von Rothbart, the Evil Sorcerer. The combination of costume and lighting, and his extraordinary dramatic ability, allowed the dancer to dominate the stage whenever he was present.


Dmitriy Akulinin as Prince Siegfried was a strong foil for Kolesnikova, whose role was shared during the run by the equally accomplished Eleonora Adeeva and Sabina Yapparova. With no visible distinction between dancing and acting, once again Swan Lake is the most impressive, ' moving and enduring of the classical ballets. Hopefully the St Petersburg Ballet Theatre will return to South Africa to showcase more of its classical repertoire soon