“Not your grandmother’s ‘Swan Lake,'” quipped one dance pundit in anticipation of “LAC,” choreographer Jean-Christophe Maillot‘s revisiting of ballet’s sacred cow — correction: its beloved swan.
“LAC,” c’est le français for “lake.”
The production by Les Ballets de Monte Carlo will enjoy its U.S. premiere next weekend on the stellar stage of Segerstrom Center for the Arts.
The images shared here indicate that this latest rendering of the Petipa-Ivanov classic, which dates to 1895, set to the familiar Tchaikovsky score, goes for the goth. In an interview for the Segerstrom Center, the choreographer notes: “We are not living in a romantic period, this world today. So in that sense the piece is connected to speed and hardness, yet it doesn’t mean it has to be without grace.”
An intriguing enough premise. I’m liking the production design, particularly the Black Swan costume, photo at top. Nicely evil!
photos: Angela Sterling, Laurent Philippe, Alice Blangero, for Les Ballets de Monte Carlo
LAC | Segerstrom Center for the Arts | March 7 – 9
Terrible adaptation. Ruined a great ballet.