Swan Lake Studies 5-8

5, 6, 7, 8. These four photographs show the ballroom act of the 1971-1976 Royal Ballet “Swan Lake”. Gerd Larsen plays the Queen (the title should be “Princess Mother”): she was its chief interpreter for many years, though I, heretically, found her a coarse actress. (Live footage of Pamela May in 1949-1956 performances shows more authority, more class, greater glamour, more incisiveness, and far more conviction.)

How I wish I had seen Alfreda Thorogood as Odette and Odile. Her refinement of expansive line in these photographs show why Natalia Makarova singled her out for particular praise among the Royal Ballet. As for Wall, he was among the greatest partners in history, the epitome of virile chivalry while effortlessly making the widest range of ballerinas all shine eloquently.

I’m told that the couple leading the Hungarian Dance here are Elizabeth Anderton and Ronald Emblen. (It used to be the one number I wanted to perform myself.) And Rothbart is played by David Adams.

Thursday 9 July.