Swan Lake

Release Date: 1967-12-27

Overview: Bruhn’s Swan Lake was a fascinating psychological drama that departed from traditional versions, which proved controversial and ground-breaking. He enhanced the role of Prince Siegfried, whom he occasionally performed, with more dancing and depth, saying he wished to tell the story of the Prince rather than the Swan Queen. He also changed the role of Von Rothbart, the evil sorcerer, to the Black Queen (initially played by Franca). His telling changed the story from a struggle between good and evil to focus on the Prince’s relationships with the women in his life – his mother, the Black Queen, the Swan Queen and the Black Swan – each representing a different form of control or influence. To emphasize the powerful emotion of the story, Bruhn reinstated the tragic ending, with the Prince driven to his death by the swans.

Rating: 0 / 10

Cast

Erik Bruhn

as Prince

Lois Smith

as Swan Queen/Black Swan

Celia Franca

as Black Queen

Yves Cousineau

as Tutor

Olga Makcheeva

as Queen Mother