The Russian State Ballet of Siberia The Snow Maiden

The greatest thing that this company gives is the opportunity to see some of the prettiest “white” ballets regionally and at an affordable price. The Snow Maiden is not the best known of Tchaikovsky’s works but pretty none the less and this production amplifies that with delightful back-cloths and costumes (and perhaps the worst set of wigs for the boys too). The corps de ballet are for the most part well drilled and the soloists cope brilliantly well within the confines of the Theatre Royal’s small stage. The whole though is let down by an orchestra who at times were woefully out of tune and on occasions out of time with dancers who were fighting to keep with them. Despite all that this was a charming traditional evening of classic dance and they must be applauded for bringing this to us in an era when rapidly disappearing arts funding would make it impossible for home grown companies to tour these works on this scale.
Theatre Royal Brighton
15 February
Andrew Kay
3 stars