Two of the most famous and well loved classical ballets make their way to the Theatre Royal Bath this week, with The Nutcracker playing until 26 January and then Swan Lake taking over for 27 and 28 January.
Both are typically wonderful examples of classical ballet at its best, combining the sublime music of Tchaikovsky with fairy tale plots and echoes from great performances of the past.
The productions currently at the Theatre Royal are courtesy of The International Classic Ballet Theatre, a company of international dancers selected by Georgia-born Artistic Director, Marina Medvetskaya, a former prima ballerina of Tbilisi State Academic Opera and Ballet, with each dancer chosen, so we are told, for their grace, skill and athleticism, essential for the classical style of ballet presented.
Of course, for anybody familiar with classical ballet, the story of The Nutcracker will be well known. Clara is given a nutcracker doll for Christmas, that comes to life to battle the Mouse King before whisking Clara off to the Land of Snow. Here they witness a series of dances from around the world, including an Arabian princess, Russian Cossacks and, of course, the Sugar Plum Fairy.
However, while all the key elements remain, this is a production that sadly misses the mark in so many ways. While the choreography is stunted and awkward, and the set and costumes lacking glamour and panache, the worst thing of all is the lack of passion and energy across the troupe.
Yes, Arissa Hashimoto has the skills, delicacy and smiles to play the young heroine Clara, but as with much of the rest of the production, it comes across as dancing by numbers rather than really portraying the romance and excitement of the story. Unfortunately Yassai Mergaliyez as the Nutcracker Prince fairs less well still, with a performance, while technically fine, is devoid of any emotion to such an extent that he often looks disconnected from the action.
Similarly the troupe often appear leaden and under-rehearsed, with a lack of timing hopefully something that will improve as the tour goes on.
Thankfully things do improve with Clara’s arrival in the Land of Snow, with the international dancers giving the troupe a chance to show their individual skills. Kaskyrbay Yeskali as the Arabian Doll and Laura Glare and Azamat Markeev at the Russian dancers certainly help to lift the production out of the doldrums, with Hashitmoto and Margaliyev also grasping the opportunity to showcase their individual skills.
And to be fair, to balance the few members of the audience leaving early along with the unhappy critics, there were appreciative rounds of applause throughout and even a very limited standing ovation from one section of circle at the finale, which only goes to prove that theatre is very much a subjective scenario.
It’s always a pleasure to enjoy a visit to the Theatre Royal in Bath, the grandest of venues with a warm welcome and a history of excellent productions. And perhaps for anyone new to the ballet, this production of The Nutcracker will work as a good starting point and introduction to other, more impressive performances to come. However, I won’t be rushing back to see this particular company again.
The International Classic Ballet Theatre present The Nutcracker and Swan Lake at the Theatre Royal Bath from Tuesday 24th January to Saturday 28th January. Tickets are available to purchase at the Theatre Royal Bath Box Office on 01225 448844 and online at www.theatreroyal.org.uk