Press Release: English National Ballet and Royal Albert Hall present Swan Lake in-the-round

[Jan McNulty]

English National Ballet Swan Lake in-the-round  Royal Albert Hall  Wednesday 12 – Sunday 23 June 2024 ballet.org.uk/swan-lake-round

“When the swans make their first entrance, wave after wave of them, it’s awesome. To see them move and breathe as one is profoundly touching.” The Observer

 

English National Ballet performs Derek Deane’s Swan Lake in-the-round at the Royal Albert Hall, London, from Wednesday 12 – Sunday 23 June 2024.

 

 

With over 100 performers, including 60 dancing swans, Swan Lake in-the-round is one of the biggest spectacles in ballet and brings the classic love story to life on one of the world’s most famous stages. Featuring Tchaikovsky’s glorious score, performed live by English National Ballet Philharmonic, this epic in-the-round staging of Swan Lake is perfect for both dedicated fans and first-time ballet goers. 

 

Swan Lake in-the-round caused a sensation at its premiere in 1997 and has since been enjoyed by over half a million people worldwide. 

 

Opening night sees Lead Principal Sangeun Lee and First Soloist Gareth Haw perform in the dual role of Odette/ Odile and Prince Siegfried respectively. Having only joined English National Ballet in 2023, this marks their debut performances both in these roles and on the grand stage of the Royal Albert Hall. 

 

Lead Principal Emma Hawes also makes her debut in the role of Odette/Odile whilst Lead Principals Aitor Arrieta and Francesco Gabriele Frola, and Soloist Lorenzo Trossello debut as Prince Siegfried.

 

Laurretta Summerscales, former Principal dancer with English National Ballet and current Principal dancer with Bavarian State Ballet returns as a Guest Artist to perform as Odette/Odile.

 

Principal Casting: 

Odette-Odile / Prince Siegfried / Rothbart

 

Sangeun Lee* / Gareth Haw* / James Streeter

12^th June 19:30,15^th June 19:30,18^th June 19:30
 

Fernanda Oliveira / Francesco Gabriele Frola* / Fabian Reimair

13^th June 19:30, 15^th June 14:30, 20^th June 19:30

Emma Hawes* / Aitor Arrieta* / Junor Souza

14^th June 19:30, 16^th June 14:30, 22^nd June 19:30

 

Laurretta Summerscales** / Lorenzo Trossello* / James Streeter

19^th June 19:30, 21^st June 19:30, 23^rd June 14:30

 

To be announced

20^th June 14:30, 22^nd June 14:30

 

*Debut

**Guest Artist

 

Please note, casting is subject to change. Please see www.ballet.org.uk for up-to-date casting.

 

 

Notes to Editors

English National Ballet is a National Portfolio Organisation supported by Arts Council England.

Ballymore is Principal Building Partner of English National Ballet.

 

Listings: 
English National Ballet
Swan Lake in-the-round 

Royal Albert Hall 

12 – 23 June 2024

https://www.ballet.org.uk/swan-lake-round

 

About English National Ballet 

English National Ballet has a long and distinguished history. Founded in 1950 as London Festival Ballet by the great English dancers Alicia Markova and Anton Dolin, it has been at the forefront of ballet’s growth and evolution ever since.

 

English National Ballet brings world class ballet to the widest possible audience through performances across the UK and on eminent international stages; its distinguished orchestra, English National Ballet Philharmonic; its digital platforms Ballet on Demand and BalletActive; being a UK leader in creative learning and engagement practice, building innovative partnerships to deliver flagship programmes such as Dance for Parkinson’s; and through talent development initiatives including Ballet Futures which looks to create a more diverse and inclusive future for the artform.

 

English National Ballet continues to add ground-breaking new works to its repertoire whilst celebrating the tradition of great classical ballet, gaining acclaim for artistic excellence and creativity. 2019 saw the Company enter a new chapter in its history with a move to a purpose-built state-of-the-art home in east London, allowing a renewed commitment to creativity, ambition, and connection to more people, near and far, than ever before. 

 

About the Royal Albert Hall

The Royal Albert Hall is the world’s most famous stage. Throughout its 152-year history, it has welcomed a who’s who of world-renowned figures: artists, athletes and activists. No other place on earth has played host to Winston Churchill, Albert Einstein and Muhammad Ali; Ella Fitzgerald, The Beatles and Adele. This was the Suffragettes’ “temple of liberty” – the site of Votes for Women rallies that helped change the course of British history – the home of the Stonewall concerts, and a place of celebration during Nelson Mandela’s state visit. But its eccentric history has also seen it used for a séance, an indoor marathon and the world’s first bodybuilding contest (judged by Sir Arthur Conan Doyle).

 

In an ordinary year, the Hall’s extraordinary auditorium presents around 400 world-class events: encompassing rock, pop and classical music, theatre, dance, films, Cirque du Soleil and sport. It typically welcomes 1.8 million visitors a year, while its 1,000 events in secondary spaces help to attract a young, diverse audience. Its Engagement programme includes music therapy, concerts in the community, and workshops with A-list artists, often in collaboration with other charities, such as Nordoff Robbins and Music for Youth.

[Dawnstar]

Having dug up the season announcement from several months ago, it looks like all the casting is still the same as in that. I wonder why neither Takahashi nor Kase have any performances? Maybe one of them will end up with the two TBC dates but at the moment it seems a bit odd to have a guesting Odette/Odile yet not have any performances assigned to 2 of the 5 female Principals.

[Irmgard]

When mentioning debuts, English National Ballet makes a distinction between the proscenium and the in-the-round version of Deane's "Swan Lake" because of course Hawes, Arrieta, Trossello and Frola all took the leading roles in the proscenium version in the 2022/23 season. 

[San Perregrino]

2 minutes ago, Irmgard said:

When mentioning debuts, English National Ballet makes a distinction between the proscenium and the in-the-round version of Deane's "Swan Lake" because of course Hawes, Arrieta, Trossello and Frola all took the leading roles in the proscenium version in the 2022/23 season. 

All four of whom were both sublime and divine in their roles. 

[MAX]

Where is Shiori Kase ?  Where are the young dancers ?

 

Aaron Watkins castings are more traditional, or less daring than Tamara Rojo's...

[Emeralds]

I suppose it's unlikely we will get both Erina Takahashi AND Shiori Kase allocated to the remaining two dates now, but I hope it is one or the other and not someone else. As for Siegfried on those two dates- Daniel McCormick has partnered both Erina and Shiori in the classics successfully and beautifully. I do remember a memorable Le Corsaire pas de trois where Daniel stole the show as Ali and his memorable acting and dancing skills as Abdur in Raymonda, so he would be the most exciting and  logical choice for the role.