WANT TO BUY A PHOTO?
Click on the on your selected image. This will create an email that will tell us which photo you want to buy.
Add your contact number and send to dance@dancetrain.com.au and we will contact you. Each image is $27.50 (includes GST).
The McDonald College Classical Ballet Stream presents
Swan Lake
The McDonald College Conference Centre 19-22 July 2023
synopsis
ACT ONE
Prince Siegfried and his best friend, Benno are celebrating his coming of age in the Castle grounds with their friends. The Queen comes to join them and gives Siegfried his gift of a new hunting bow. The Queen also reminds him of his royal duty to pick a bride at the royal ball the following evening where several princesses will be at his choosing. This distresses the young Prince as he does not want to get married to someone he does not love. In his distress, Benno suggests that they go hunting to help the Prince take his mind off the expectations and to enjoy his special day.
ACT TWO
As the Prince is out hunting by the lakeside, his party comes across a bevy of swans. The Prince orders the huntsmen to leave so he can prey on the swans himself. As he gets closer, he sees a swan land and transform into a beautiful young lady, Princess Odette. Siegfried soon discovers that Odette and her companions have been cast with a spell by the evil sorcerer Von Rothbart who keeps watch over them. By night they are allowed to be in human form, but by day they are transformed back into swans. Their spell can only be broken by the vow of true love. Siegfried is captivated by her and expresses his love for her. Odette warns him that if he betrays her, she will remain a swan forever. He makes a vow of love and as dawn approaches, Von Rothbart transforms the maidens back into swans.
ACT THREE
The guests arrive at the Castle Ballroom to celebrate Prince Siegfried’s coming of age. Foreign princesses have been invited and the Queen hopes for the Prince to choose a future bride. Distracted by his thoughts of Princess Odette, two uninvited guests arrive. Von Rothbart has transformed himself into human form and enters with his daughter Odile, who has assumed the likeness of Odette. Siegfried is captivated by Odile, and Von Rothbart’s magic prevents him from seeing who she really is. Odette appears, pleading for him to see her but he is unaware of her presence. To the delight of the Queen, Siegfried asks for Odile’s hand in marriage. Von Rothbart makes him swear his love and as he does so, the curse on Odette has been sealed and the evil sorcerer reveals Odile’s identity. Triumphant, Von Rothbart and Odile depart leaving the Prince heartbroken and rushing to the lakeside to nd his true love.
ACT FOUR
Returning to the lakeside to be with the swan-maidens, Odette is heartbroken and no longer wants to live. Prince Siegfried comes looking for her to tell her of the evil magic that caused him to break his vow and to ask for her forgiveness. Odette loves him and forgives him but tells him that it is too late for them and that Von Rothbart’s spell cannot be broken. Together they decide to end their lives so they can be united in a world beyond death. This act of true love destroys Von Rothbart and all the curses placed on the swan-maidens are broken forever.
Director’s note
My hope was to give as many opportunities as possible to the dancers in this year’s production of Swan Lake. With 4 acts, and a storyline that requires maturity and sensitivity, it was going to be hard work. Having three casts was a huge undertaking but worth every minute to see the dancers pushed, challenged, and succeed in their different roles.
Thank you to Nicky Gattorna for staging the second act and for her assistance with the fourth act. To Yulia Furnas for choreographing the Act 3 Hungarian Czardas dance and to Lindsay Ellman-Brown for supporting me in the studio as I worked my way through staging and directing the ballet. Thank you to Keryn Kirk who always produces amazing costumes and to all the parents and students who gave their time to helping. A very special thank you to Peter Slattery for his generosity with making and sourcing various props – nothing was too dif cult. And nally, to Peter Eirth for all the work backstage and with sets, and to Peter Kraft for producing our production. It has been another huge undertaking, but an absolute pleasure to see the dancers grow in con dence, maturity, and their technical ability.
Jane Kesby
Dance Train Pty Ltd, dancetrain™ © 2000 - 2020