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| Cristina Terentiev - Yevhen Svyetlitsa in the Royal Czech Ballet's production of "Sleeping Beauty" |
Music by
Pyotr Ilyic Tchaikovsky
Choreographed
and staging by Andrei Scharaev, after Marius Petipa
Settings by
Evgeny Hurenko – Costumes by Maria Poliudova
Lighting by
Alexander Soloviev – Sound by Sarah Vandenberg
Canberra
Theatre Centre – September 18th & 19th 2023.
Evening performance
on 18th September reviewed by BILL STEPHENS
]
Dancers of the Royal Czech Ballet in "Sleeping Beauty"
Premiered in
the Marinsky Theatre in 1890, “The Sleeping Beauty” has remained one of the
most famous of all ballets. The ballet is based around a fairy-tale princess
who is cursed by an evil fairy miffed at not being invited to the princess’s christening.
The effect of the evil fairy’s curse is that the princess will die if she pricks
her finger, which of course she does at her 16th birthday
celebrations.
This event
causes the whole court to go into suspended animation until 100 years later, when
a handsome prince discovers the Royal Court, dutifully kisses the princess, resulting
in everyone waking up to celebrate with a grand party for which various other fairy-tale
characters provide the floor show.
With its
famous score by Tchaikovsky, the opportunities the ballet offers for pretty
settings, costumes, and characters dances
to showcase its dancers, “Sleeping Beauty” has become a staple in the
repertoire of most classical ballet companies. This lovely production by the
Royal Czech Ballet is an excellent example of why.
Staged by
the company’s Founder and Artistic Director, Andrei Scharaev, this production
is presented among a series of spectacular, beautifully painted backcloths, the
work of Evgeny Hurenko, with pretty jelly-bean coloured costumes by Maria
Poliudova.
Sensitive to
the rigours of an extensive touring schedule, Scharaev has sensitively modified
the original Petipa choreography, without sacrificing style, precision or
spectacle. All 26 or so well-drilled dancers who make up the company impressed with
their immaculate grooming and attention to choreographic detail.
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| Cristina Terentiev - Yevhan Svyelitsa - Dancers of the Royal Czech in "Sleeping Beauty |
The company is led by ballerina, Cristina Terentiev as Princess Aurora, partnered by Yevhen Svyetlitsa as Prince Desire. Every inch the Prima Ballerina, Terentiev, last seen in Canberra in Royal Czech Ballet’s “Swan Lake”, is an exquisite dancer and sheer joy to watch. She effortlessly captures the joie de vivre of the sixteen-year-old Princess Aurora, while taking the time to execute every step faultlessly and with flawless line.
Her partner,
Yevhen Svyetlitsa, a handsome, attentive Prince Desire, also impressed with his
princely bearing and effortless elevation. Their execution of the famous last
act pas de deux elicited cheers from the entranced audience.
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| Serjei Iliin (Carabosse) and dancers of the Royal Czech Ballet in "Sleeping Beauty" |
Among the
soloists, Ana Oleinic watched over proceedings as a tall and elegant Lilac
Fairy, Sergej Iliin, in an amazing glittering black and gold costume, oozed evil intent as the Evil Fairy Carabosse;
Ola Marcova and Vadim Stetenco delighted with their performance of the famous Blue
Bird Pas de deux; Andrei Saharnean and
Elizaveta Savina drew laughter from the audience with their outrageous flirting
as Puss in Boots and the White Cat; while diminutive, Nicole Ferazzino, who had
charmed earlier as Fairy Playfulness, had
her hands full avoiding the clutches Dennis Donica’s Grey Wolf, as Little Red
Riding Hood.
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| Elizaveta Savina (White Cat) - Andrei Saharnean (Puss in Boots" in "Sleeping Beauty" |
Thankfully
the recorded version of the much-loved Tchaikovsky score was amplified to just
the right level making this production both an aural and visual delight.
As the Royal
Czech Ballet continues its Australian tour, for performances from 4th
to the 30th October, Ukrainian dancer, Natalia Kushch, who has
previously been a soloist with the Vienna State Ballet, the Queensland Ballet
and Australian Ballet, will take over the role of Princess Aurora from Cristina
Terentiev. Kushch will be partnered for these performances by Nikolay
Nazarkevich.
Images provided by Royal Czech Ballet.
This review also published in AUSTRALIAN ARTS REVIEW. www.artsreview.com.au
