The Kasatkina and Vasilyov State Academic Classical Ballet Theatre
(Moscow Classical Ballet)
This production was premiered in 1988 during a tour of the State Academic Theatre of Classical Ballet in Great Britain. This was the first Anglo-Russian joint production in the history of Russian ballet. The choreographic version and performance were done by the Russian side, the State Academic Theatre of Classical Ballet.
The set design was made by Tim Goodchild, one of the most renowned British designers, while Kim Baker was responsible for the costumes.
The main roles in the first showing were performed by Vera Timashova and the brilliant Vladimir Malakhov.
More than thirty years ago Great Britain applauded the Bolshoi Theatre’s production of Swan Lake, which is known in Russia as “old Moscow Swan Lake” (choreography by Marius Petipa, Lev Ivanov, Alexander Gorsky, Asaf Meserer). This nearly forgotten version of the ballet became the basis for the production by the State Academic Theatre of Classical Ballet. Many marvelous “pieces” of the old version of Swan Lake were carefully reconstructed,as were the original ideas of Marius Petipa in the first act of the ballet. The newly created parts delicately and thoughtfully follow the style of the famous production.
While preparing the production Natalia Kasatkina and Vladimir Vasilyov consulted with Nikolay Fadecheev (one of the best-known Princes of the Bolshoi Theatre), the famous ballerina Marina Semenova and Asaf Meserer.
Russian ballet critic Elena Lutskaya described the producers’ work as “a lesson in modern treatment of classical heritage”.
The production has successfully been shown in the USA, Turkey, Japan, France, and Italy.
