Wow! What a mind-blowing performance! This is definitely one not to miss. Rapturous waves of applause at curtain fall said it all – the opening night audience loved it! Black Swan, White Swan takes big risks with its retelling of the classic Swan Lake story but the risks pay off. Stunning choreography by Mário Radačovský (loved the swan silhouettes from the corps de ballet) brings the tragic love story right into the 21st Century.

Some things haven’t changed – the ballet and all its “females” still revolve around the male, Siegfried. And at key points, the traditional rendering of Tchaikovsky’s music and the modern choreography still align. In other parts, the expected pas de deux is absent and instead we get fight scenes. And between who? It is possible to read all of Siegfried’s struggles as internal, with his nemesis, Rothbart, being some force coming from within rather than without. Very 21st Century.

This is also not the usual Swan Lake showpiece of lavish costumes and sets. No pointe work either – much of the ballet is danced barefoot. Costumes are pared back to what would be undergarments in any other version. That only increases the intensity of the performance, though, and Radačovský makes the most of what is there – the corps de ballet seem to have been asked to grow their hair out for this, to allow the regular stroking of long tresses to represent the preening of swans.

Lighting and set design are an important part of any ballet but even more so with this production. The set was minimalist, modernist and monochrome. And mirrored as well – large, flexible mirrored panels formed the backdrop for much of the ballet, with the possibilities used to the max. There was the occasional Bruce Lee moment as your focus shifted from bodies to reflections and back again, and the references may well be intentional. What was definitely intentional was having the corps de ballet exit the stage by rolling underneath the mirrored panels during a frenetic fight scene – the movement made the mirrors warp the lighting into flashes of chaos, perfectly matching the mood.

We are blessed to have a national ballet company so comfortable with the contemporary as well as the traditional, and this production showcases that in the most exhilarating way. Bravo!

RNZB, Black Swan, White Swan, until June 29
rnzb.org.nz