Review: THE ACROBATIC SWAN LAKE, Sadler’s Wells
Returning to London for the third time to an enthusiastic reception, this is an evolved version of a unique entertainment which leaves audiences open-mouthed in awe at the skills on display. As before, the narrative is a notional frame for a series of acrobatic and circus performances displaying a level of skill rarely seen in the UK. This is one of the versions of Swan Lake that has a happy ending, but not before impressive battles with the Black Hawk King (the von Rothbart figure) and a Snake, among others.
The cast is reduced from that previously seen at the Coliseum, but the combination of great artistry, elegant movement and superb costumes fills the Sadler’s Wells stage with colour and movement. It’s very much a Chinese take on the story, with the Prince arriving from thousands of miles away: Egypt it would seem from the backcloth, although he no longer arrives on a camel. Most of the cast have trained as classical dancers and in acrobatics, and this shows in the ways in which they can display both arts together.
The cygnets here become frogs – and very effectively so – and their acrobatic skills are as impressive as expected. Throughout the evening, where a juggler or acrobat might traditionally be expected to do a small trick, then a slightly more impressive one and then build up to a big finish, in this production they go straight to the big finish and perform it perfectly. Other parts of the story are enhanced by a range of traditional acts, including diabolo, pole-balancing, contortion, aerial ring acts, and various kinds of juggling by individuals and at one point by the entire female chorus: passing straw hats from one to another, whilst en pointe, and filling the stage with colour and movement. The elevated gliding swans (roller skates perhaps?) and the occasional illusion add to the impact of this very family-friendly show.
The headline act is that delivered by leading actors Sun Yina and Zhou Jie, playing the White Swan and the Prince. Both are good actors and elegant dancers, but their acrobatic skills are astounding. Sun Yina balances en pointe on one leg on her partner’s shoulder and even his head during their pas de deux, with great poise, control and balance, absolutely immobile despite the apparent impossibility of the accomplishment. The duo’s understanding of musicality, shared by many of the company, means that there is a real connection between the (recorded) music and the action on stage, not always the case when music is used to accompany circus acts.
There are no weak performers in this company, who have presumably trained since early childhood to reach this level of expertise. There were a few gaps on press night as the next set was put in place, and it’s not a show for people wishing to see only ballet, but as an example of the highest level of circus skills within an effective narrative and delivered with grace, agility and elegance, it is impossible to give this show anything less than five stars.
***** Five stars
Reviewed by: Chris Abbott
The Acrobatic Swan Lake plays at Sadler’s Wells until 29 June, with further info here.
