Northern Ballet Swan Lake at Milton Keynes Theatre Review

Northern Ballet:
Swan Lake
Milton Keynes Theatre

26-30 April  2016

www.atgtickets.com/miltonkeynes

Reviewed by Michelle Llabani

This was my first time at Milton Keynes Theatre and I was pleasantly surprised by what I found. Parking was in easy reach of the theatre and free (after 6pm), with the area directly surrounding the theatre full of bars and restaurants, many offering pre-theatre meal deals.

The theatre itself is vast in size, much bigger then the Northampton Royal & Derngate I usually go to. The layout is interesting in the way that although the theatre rises quite high and has capacity for 1400 people, you can only see those people in the audience directly surrounding you, thus making the venue both huge and personal at the same time.

Being a novice to the world of ballet, this only my second ever attended, I was eager to experience such an iconic piece presented by such skilled and renowned ballet company as the Northern Ballet, winner of many international accolades, such as Outstanding Company in the 2015 Nationa1 Dance Awards. David Nixon, the artistic director has chosen to take a slightly different route to the tradition Swan Lake story. Instead of Siegfried the lonely Prince we find Anthony, who coming of age is stuck between the love for his friends Simon and Odilia. We see his battle to decide between love and duty and his parent’s sense of what is correct. As a backdrop for Anthony’s story is the disappearance of his brother, whilst playing as young men by the lake. Anthony is repeatedly drawn back to the lake to find the answers he is looking for. Then one night when sad and low he encounters Odette a beautiful Swan.

The choreography is excellent. Of special note is the opening scenes of Act One, which see Anthony’s friends playing and relaxing around a picnic, there is a sense of fun and humour shown in these scenes, which manages to lighten the whole production. Not professing to be a ballet connoisseur I must admit some of the longer scenes were lost on me in terms of skill… skill I am sure is evident to anyone more versed in the intricacies of the ballet.

Ayami Miyata made a truly beautiful Odette, showing grace and beauty throughout, truly embodying with her movement and mannerism the graceful form of a swan and the birthday party guests entertained with a ballet version of the Tango, Paso and the Viennese Waltz.

The set, although simple, provided an excellent backdrop for the dancing, with the lake view in the opening act being particularly successful. Props, such as the chaise lounge in the birthday scene were used to good effect to enhance dancing and become part of the story.

As always it is an utter joy to listen up close and personally to a live orchestra and the music of Tchaikovsky.

I can wholeheartedly recommend Northern Ballet’s Swan Lake as a truly moving and entertaining way to spend an evening.

Rating: 5/5 

Tickets cost from £14.40 to £40.90 (plus £2.85 transaction fee).

Northern Ball Swan Lake is at Milton Keynes Theatre until 30 April 2016. For more information or  to book tickets click here or call the box office on 0844 8717652.

Milton Keynes Theatre, 500 Marlborough Gate, Milton Keynes, Bucks, MK9 3NZ