Perfect moves in entrancing performance

SELL-out audiences welcomed this touring Russian ballet company’s visit to Coventry’s Belgrade Theatre with the entrancing Swan Lake.

Prima ballerina Nadejda Ivanova captivated as the swan queen while George Migunov made the most delightful court jester, bringing amusement and amazing athleticism to nearly every scene.

The Moscow Ballet was founded 20 years ago and prides itself on maintaining classic choreography to showcase the world’s most famous ballets, never more relevant than for Tchaikovsky’s most popular score.

Without any over-elaborate stage setting, the dancers truly did resemble swans, especially glimpsed through the palace gates and then as they came centre stage to dance the familiar steps with such perfect precision.

Sadly, there was no live orchestra but the sound was still in perfect accord with the movement on stage. There was also one small falter on Monday night. Did it matter? Not according to the number of curtain calls.

Verdict: A magical evening.

Barbara Goulden