What an enjoyable new Swan Lake the Royal Ballet can boast about. The filmed live performance was screened Tuesday night at Landmark Cinemas on W. 57th Street at 12th Avenue and will be screened again next Tuesday. Landmark Cinemas, which is in the base of the new Via apartment complex, must be the snazziest movie house on the island. You won't want to go home after the show, and there's no need to because the cinema's bright bar & lounge beckon you to stay as you approach the exit to leave.
The RB's Swan Lake is lovely, indeed, but what a strange ending. After Odette went over the cliff, Siegfried disappeared into the darkness under the cliff and re-emerged carrying the Odette (in young girl form wearing her nightie) who first appeared in the prologue. Siegfried never actually met her then, but apparently he knew she was Odette in the water. As he walked forward with her lifeless body, Odette in swan form appeared above the cliff flapping her wings. This all must have made the story more "relevant" for Liam Scarlett who managed the new production. But as we tend to say now and then, and perhaps too much – relevance is overrated.
Marianela Nunez was stunning, of course, as both Odette and Odile. If anyone is interested, her fouettes -- all 32 counts of them -- did not move off of the proverbial quarter on the floor. Most impressive, however, was her Act II solo--particularly the opening battements in which her foot that began extended to the back came to the flattest fifth position we've ever seen before brushing the battement upward. It was the most textbook perfect that we've ever seen this sequence performed. All of her dancing was lovely, incredibly secure, and included musical detailing that made it interesting. She didn't convey a lot of vulnerability but she had us convinced of the seriousness of her predicament.
Vadim Muntagirov as Siegfried was near perfection in technical matters, but a little monochromatic rather than dramatic. One thing is for certain – he looks, dances, and acts a lot better since joining the Royal Ballet than when he paid NY a visit some years before.
Alexander Campbell, Akane Takada, and Francesca Hayward danced a rich and satisfying Pas de Trois with more than the customary allegro-devilishness, particularly in Act III during which they got extensive stage time.
The overall presentation on film could use a lot more light. There is an abundance of dark costumes and dark colored set pieces which make it somewhat difficult to see the dancers now and then. Even the swans in their gorgeous tutus were deep in shadows. This level of lighting would be death to a production like Mayerling.
There will be another screening of Swan Lake next Tuesday at 7pm. It is well worth the $19.50 to stretch out in the awesome recliner chairs with your feet up and enjoy the Royal Ballet. For sure, nobody in Covent Garden was as relaxed and comfortable as we all were last night.
I especially appreciate your review, Haglund because there have been no theaters showing the Royal Ballet's Swan Lake anywhere near me. Perhaps one of the fine arts theaters will pick it up.
Posted by: Georgiann | August 01, 2018 at 10:45 AM
Marianela was so lovely. I particularly was impressed with how she rolled through her foot, over and over, in Act II. She has such control and yet is so beautiful. I did miss some vulnerability that I've seen in others, but it is an amazing performance.
Posted by: Whitney Speer | August 01, 2018 at 11:00 AM
I agree with your review word for word, though...you wouldn't want to go home afterward because that cinema is so far away from everything it's bloody difficult! With no crosstown bus coming and the D and F trains disrupted, it took me a hour and a half to get to Carroll Street in Brooklyn. I will not be seeing films there unless I absolutely have to--for example, seeing Mayerling in the fall, if they screen it.
Posted by: Golden Idol | August 01, 2018 at 11:02 AM
True about those feet, Whitney. No clunky shanks or obnoxious-sized boxes on her shoes. Her feet did everything from their own strength.
Yikes, Golden Idol. I have a sense that the subway situation may improve dramatically before the election -- although improvements always tend to be short-lived. I count myself as being supremely lucky to live only a few blocks away down 11th Ave; so hoofing it up to the Landmark to see the Alexander McQueen documentary and the Ruth Bader Ginsburg documentary and Robert Fairchild in An American in Paris won't be a big deal. I'm glad that you have already decided that Mayerling will be worth the transportation trouble in November. That is going to be an event!
Posted by: Haglund | August 01, 2018 at 11:14 AM
Hi Haglund, I caught the showing last night here in Philadelphia at the Landmark Ritz Five. Very enjoyable show. I'm also hoping the Landmark chain picks up the 2018-2019 Royal Ballet cinema season. I would especially love to see their Bayadere and Don Q.
Lots of interesting narrative choices they made. Having Rothbart participate in Acts I and III as advisor to the Queen gave me an Imperial Russian feel, with Rothbart evoking Rasputin. The Act I men's military inspired costumes also gave me that Imperial Russia vibe.
I can't quite get over Akane Takada's feet - they are hyper arched. The Act I and Act III pas de trois were fantastic.
I wonder how the dancers feel about that grand staircase in Act III - I've heard it can be a hazard because the ladies can't see their feet because of their tutus.
I agree, that ending was curious. I think that's the first production I've seen where Odette dies at the end, but Siegfried doesn't. I've seen plenty of productions where Siegfried and Rothbart battle and die, or Siegfried and Odette both plunge off the cliff and are reunited in apotheosis.
In Philly, the ushers handed out a program. I'm wondering if they did the same in Manhattan? (Linked here:)
http://static.roh.org.uk/showings/swan-lake-live-2018/en.pdf?_ga=2.67461905.1268267690.1533136566-1405026192.1533136566
Posted by: BryanP | August 01, 2018 at 11:32 AM
Hi BryanP. Were there recliner seats at the Landmark Ritz Five as there were at the Landmark in NYC? They have got to be the new standard from which to watch a movie!
I didn't see any program handouts at the cinema here. Thanks for the link. Before the screening started a manager made an announcement about the number and length of intermissions and total running time.
Posted by: Haglund | August 01, 2018 at 11:50 AM
Alas, Haglund, the Philly Ritz Five has not upgraded its seating - they have the old-school cinema seats. I do prefer the recliner seats when I go out to see a movie, which is maybe three or four times a year.
Posted by: BryanP | August 01, 2018 at 12:25 PM
I would like to thank BryanP for posting a link to the program. We did not get these in NYC.
Hagland, you really want to see the American in Paris HD? I admit I saw it on B'way late in the run, not with Fairchild but with his understudy who took over the role and who had zero chemistry with the leading lady. I'm afraid the whole thing was weak tea for me.
Posted by: Golden Idol | August 01, 2018 at 01:25 PM
Golden Idol, Fairchild on the big screen. Come on, man. His debut at the premiere performance of AAIP was one of the highlights of the year for me. Make the trip into town, have a drink, and forget about the trip home until it's time for it.
Posted by: Haglund | August 01, 2018 at 01:29 PM
Well, I trucked in from Forest Hills for this showing, and while I agree with Golden Idol that the theatre is very out of the way, I had no trouble getting a crosstown bus to the D to the E. I was back in FH in record time.
I was thrilled to see this Swan Lake; it was such a refreshing change from ABT’s tired production that I don’t think very many of us want to see yet again any time soon. I loved the physical production - the sets and especially the costumes. I agree it did look dark, but I still loved it. I was bothered by the remoteness/lack of chemistry between the principals, but I enjoyed everything else so much that this still gets high marks from me.
Landmark, bring on all the dance films you can handle.
Posted by: Ellen | August 01, 2018 at 03:02 PM
For people near Kansas City, MO: The Tivoli Cinemas will be showing American in Paris with Fairchild and Cope on September 20th and 23rd. Can't wait!
Posted by: Georgiann | August 01, 2018 at 04:21 PM
Fabulous, Georgiann! Those are the same dates that we're seeing it in NYC.
Posted by: Haglund | August 01, 2018 at 04:31 PM
Thanks Haglund for this great review. Like Georgiann, I have no theater close to Boston showing this SL. The theater that shows the Bolshoi productions has very comfortable recliners, but unfortunately neither it nor the Landmark Theater here has picked up the Royal in cinema.
Posted by: Marta | August 01, 2018 at 11:54 PM
Hi Haglund,
I was there last night as well and concur with all that you said. Something that struck me because I'm pretty familiar with the dancers in this company is that the corps parts were filled with soloists and even first soloists. Sure, some corps members too, of course. Just an observation.
Marianela has long been a favorite of mine and aside from her phenomenal technique is her acting which I feel is in a class of its own. I adore that she's a smiling Odile. I get irritated at seeing the role commonly played as a bitch. Odile's not a bitch. She's a temptress. No?
Akane Takada is exquisite! I was thrilled when she was promoted to principle.
Very enjoyable production!
Posted by: Laurel | August 02, 2018 at 12:10 AM
Hi, Laurel.
Of course Odile is a temptress, but also one with an ulterior motive. Both should come through in the characterization.
I totally agree with all of the praises for Akane Takada. Limbs, limbs, limbs, and feet that are attracted to their perfect positions like magnets. Also, such a beautiful and giving stage demeanor. She overcame the weak lighting to shine time and time again.
Posted by: Haglund | August 02, 2018 at 08:38 AM
Ellen,
Glad to hear that you had no transportation woes on Tuesday night. I think we need an offshoot of the #7 line to cut northward up 12th Ave. It probably will happen -- but not in our lifetimes...
I think that the Landmark Cinema folks "know" their area market. Five showings per day of RBG and 10 daily screenings of Alexander McQueen is not the usual Times Square movie house fare.
I'll probably take in S.L. again next Tuesday. Too good to pass up.
Posted by: Haglund | August 02, 2018 at 08:55 AM
Marta (5 comments above), it may be worth it to write to Landmark through its website's Contact Us page about picking up some of the Royal Ballet screenings. https://www.landmarktheatres.com/contact-us-faqs
Posted by: Haglund | August 02, 2018 at 09:05 AM
Hi Haglund,
Thanks for the suggestion about writing to Landmark. They do sometimes show operas or ballets, always at a bizarre time that most mortals can't get to. Definitely worth trying !
Posted by: Marta | August 02, 2018 at 12:57 PM
Love this rehearsal with Akane, Vadim and coached by Carlos Acosta
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=B3KacjsjI2Y&t=294s
Posted by: Laurel | August 03, 2018 at 12:15 AM