Ever since seeing Swan Lake 13 years ago when I was 6, I just love ballet, loving the dancing, the music and the stories. I am not a big fan o Stravinsky, but I do appreciate him and acknowledge his importance. But I do love The Firebird, and it is quite possibly my favourite work of his. Not just the wonderful music, but the story is captivating as well as the characters. This Royal Ballet production is very, very good, though I did have a disappointment I did find the staging of the epilogue a little unimaginative. That said, the costumes look beautiful, and the settings and lighting also impress. Other than the music which is brilliantly performed and conducted, the intricate and clearly committed dancing makes this Firebird soar and the camera work helps enormously. Leanne Benjamin is a wonderful Firebird and Jonathan Cope is dashing and athletic as Ivan Tsarevich. Overall, a fine production. 9/10 Bethany Cox
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