Review: Swan Lake, Orchard Theatre, Dartford

It was apt for the Moscow City Ballet to begin its latest run of Swan Lake on the day Kent got its first dusting of snow of the year.

Just like repeats of the Snowman at Christmas, this production proved it is nice to watch something familiar and beautifully wintry from the comfort of a warm chair, as temperatures dropped below freezing outside.

The company has made it a custom to return to Dartford as memories of the festive season fade, this time to perform the mother of all ballets to Tchaikovsky’s enduring score.

This production is all about the entrance of Odette, the White Swan, whose grace should have made Prince Siegfried immune from the advances of Odile, the Black Swan, given the enchanting performance of Liliya Orekhova, who played both roles.

For many ballet lovers, it is not so much the story that matters but how it makes them feel.

The cumbersome scene setting of the first act – which is saved by comic turns from Valeriy Kravtsov as the Jester – is all forgiven the moment Orekhova appears on stage.

Her hypnotising flourishes wooed not only the Prince, played by Talgat Kozhabaev, but everyone in the room.

As sequence after sequence came to an end, Orekhova halted each time perfectly in position, with a moment of silent wonder before a sudden rush of applause as the audience snapped out of its gawped fascination at her serene displays.

This company presents the customary features of every production with professionalism – from shuffling dancers in feathered tutus to rousing music from the Moscow City Ballet Orchestra.

Yet there was a hint that some artistic licence had been employed with the ending, leaving children asking their mums what happened to the White Swan.

It is worth going along to find out.

Swan Lake runs at Dartford’s Orchard Theatre until Saturday, January 24. Visit www.orchardtheatre.co.uk.