The world's most famous ballet in its most beautiful moments — Swan Lake highlights danced by top Czech soloists at the Broadway Theatre in the heart of Prague.
"The Best of Swan Lake" condenses the full story of Tchaikovsky's timeless ballet into its most beautiful and memorable scenes — Odette, Odile, Prince Siegfried and the sorcerer Rothbart, brought to life by a chamber cast of soloists from leading Czech ballet companies.
The Broadway Theatre occupies the functionalist Broadway Palace on Na Příkopě, midway between Old Town Square and Republic Square. Its comfortable modern auditorium makes it one of the most pleasant places in central Prague to enjoy ballet, musicals and concerts.
Composer
P. I. Tchaikovsky
Performed by
Top dancers — soloists of leading Czech ballet companies (chamber cast).
Choreography: Monika Kysilová
Odette / Odile: Barbora Kaufmannova, Ivona Jelicova, Anna Scechaleva
Small swans (pas de quatre): Ivana Blazkova, Lucie Tomankova, Karolina Novakova, Lenka Hrabovska
Prince Siegfried: Jan Krejcir, Miroslav Hradil, Ondrej Novotny
The Prince's Mother: Ivana Beranova, Radka Zemanova
Rothbart: Radim Kubecek, Milan Malac
Spanish dance: Vladimir Vasku, Petra Sontagova
Brides: Nela Celisova, Klara Krejcirova, Zofie Demkova, Magda Tluharova, Monika Mastalirova
Polish dance: Nela Celisova, Tereza Ulrichova
Important Information
The music is played from a recording.
Duration: 105 minutes, including a 15-minute intermission
Dress code: casual
Category VIP and A - assigned seating
Category B and C - open seating (seats are not assigned)
Story
The show opens with a prologue: a young woman named Odette is at a beautiful lake, where she encounters the evil sorcerer Rothbart. He curses her and dooms her to life as a swan.
Act I
The first act is set in the royal court, where the Prince is celebrating his 18th birthday with the people of the town and royal families from nearby. The Queen arrives and presents her son with the gift of a stunning crossbow — and tells him he must choose a bride before the Royal Ball to be held the very next evening. When the celebrations end, the Prince heads to the lake to think about his big decision.
Act II
Near the lake — the one known as Swan Lake — the Prince catches a glimpse of a beautiful girl. He follows her to the water's edge, where he sees a swan with a crown on her head. When night falls, the Swan Queen transforms into the maiden Odette, and the Prince is completely taken by her. He learns about the curse placed on her and her friends by the wicked sorcerer — and that the enchanted lake was formed by the tears of Odette's parents, who wept over her fate. Only the love of a pure young man who will marry her can break the spell. The two share an emotional, romantic dance; the Prince is head over heels in love.
Act III
The following evening, the Royal Ball begins. The Prince dances with a number of girls at his mother's request, but his mind remains on Odette. Rothbart arrives at the ball with his daughter Odile, disguised as Odette, and the Prince does not realise that the woman in front of him is not the real Odette. The two share another romantic dance while Odette watches from a window. When the Prince proclaims his eternal love for the disguised Odile, Odette leaves in despair. The Prince soon catches on and leaves to find the real Odette.
Act IV
Back at Swan Lake, a heartbroken Odette is consoled by the other swans. The Prince finds her, explains the trick Odile played on him, and Odette forgives him. Their reunion is interrupted by Rothbart, who demands that the Prince marry Odile as promised. The two fight, the Prince wins, and Rothbart is killed. The Prince declares his undying love for Odette, the curse is broken — and the two live happily ever after.