ANNA KARENINA
The Russian ballet has come to town and has brought with them a tale of passion and sex filled with striking costumes and statuesque dancers. Don’t expect pink tutus and dainty pirouettes – choreographer and company director Boris Eifman has whipped up a perfect blend of old school style and contemporary dance to a recorded score by musical master Tchaikovsky. Based on Leo Tolstoy’s novel, the two hour performance is set in 19th century aristocratic Russia. The story follows Anna (Nina Zmievets) who after having an affair with the handsome Vronksy (Oleg Gabyshev) is prepared to sacrifice everything including her sinister, lanky husband Karenin (Oleg Markov), son (Ky Baldwin) and social standing for her baby-faced lover. This performance is utterly riveting from start to finish and the second act takes a delightful turn full of captivating drama. Audiences may end up confused about when the exact moment is our unlucky heroine will croak but it sure is fun to guess. In the end it doesn’t matter if you feel lost in the plot – we’re in it for the ride of breathtaking choreography and exceptionally talented dancers who move not only themselves but us in a way we could never imagine.
Until Sep 9, Capitol Theatre, 13 Campbell Street, Haymarket, $55-190, 1300 723 038, ticketmaster.com.au
