(Audio Described) My First Ballet: Swan Lake

Reasons to watch

Narrated to help young viewers follow the story

A shortened version of Tchaikovsky’s wonderful music

To view this production without audio description click here.

Give children a first taste of the magical world of ballet.

Enjoy one of the most famous ballets of all time as a family, in this beautifully adapted version for children aged three upwards.

The magician Rothbart has turned the princess Odette into a swan; only at night can she return to human form. Will Prince Siegfried be able to save her or will he fall for Rothbart’s sorcery? Featuring choreography by Antonio Castilla, former Ballet Master and Repetiteur at English National Ballet, this new version follows the familiar story from a different point of view.

With a narrator to help the young audience follow the story, and a shortened version of Tchaikovsky’s wonderful music, this is the perfect introduction to the magic of ballet.

This audio described performance of My First Ballet: Swan Lake was filmed at The Peacock, London, on 29 March 2018, for archive purposes. My First Ballet: Swan Lake is a production by English National Ballet and English National Ballet School, performed by students of English National Ballet School.

Working in collaboration with English National Ballet; Audio Description produced by VocalEyes, script and delivery by Julia Charles.

“I urge all those young and young at heart not to miss this version of Swan Lake”

Seen and Heard International

“A picture book come to life”

British Theatre Guide

“My First Ballet is out to capture a brand-new audience and does so beautifully. As an introduction to the art form for the tiniest of dancers, this gorgeous production is perfectly pitched.”

Pigeon Pair and Me

“The My First Ballet series places the emphasis firmly on fun and accessibility and this utterly charming and delightful production is no exception.”

The Reviews Hub

Cast

Narrator – Louise Calf

Dancers in leading roles (performed whilst second-year students at English National Ballet School)

Odette – Chloe Keneally
Odile – Beatriz Kuperus
Prince Siegfried – Harvey Littlefield
Rothbart – Luigi Cifone
Queen – Vania de Rosas

Creatives

Choreography – Antonio Castilla, after Marius Petipa and Lev Ivanov
Music – Pyotr Illyich Tchaikovsky
Music Arrangement – Gavin Sutherland
Original Set and Costume Design – Peter Farmer
Dramaturg – Lou Cope

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