Caroline Holden Dance

30/08/2026

An intimate look backstage as Birmingham Royal Ballet’s principal dancer Miki Mizutani transforms from Odette to Odile in Swan Lake

https://www.carolineholden.co.uk/swan-secrets/

29/08/2026

07/08/2026

30/07/2026

The corps de ballet (from the wings) before the curtain went up on the final scene of the State Ballet of Georgia’s Swan Lake at the London Coliseum.

This production staged by artistic director Nina Ananiashvili and choreographer Alexey Fadeechev, has Prince Siegfried physically rip the wings off the evil Von Rothbart, destroying his magical power and leaving him to perish on the rock.
Odette and the captive swan maidens are transformed back into their human form, and the Prince and Odette are reunited.

29/07/2026

Principal dancers Nino Samadashvilii and Oleg Ligai of the State Ballet of Georgia photographed from the wings in Swan Lake at the London Coliseum

28/07/2026

Backstage with State Ballet of Georgia principal ballerina Nino Samadashvilii preparing for her role of Odette in Swan Lake at the London Coliseum

27/07/2026

The corps de ballet in Swan Lake

Image taken from the wings with the State Ballet of Georgia at the London Coliseum

The preparation these dancers undertake for what is commonly considered one of the most difficult ballets to dance, often in large warehouses, is nothing short of drill. While the audience see the beautiful headpieces and tutus, these dancers play many different roles during the ballet. It is exhausting for them as they are leaping one minute and the next holding a static pose for what must feel like eternity. They are the ballet and have to learn to breathe as one to create the incredible formations the choreography demands.

27/07/2026

Beautiful moments in the wings for the State Ballet of Georgia's Swan Lake at the London Coliseum

23/07/2026

Corps de ballet from The State Ballet of Georgia’s Swan Lake, at the London Coliseum until Sunday 26, conducted by maestro Levan Jagaev with the Royal Ballet Sinfonia.

22/07/2026

The beautiful new opening sequence of the State Ballet of Georgia’s Swan Lake, under the artistic direction of Nina Ananiashvilii and choreographer Alexey Fadeechev, shows the evil Baron von Rothbart transforming the princess into a swan by day and only returning to her human form by the light of the moon. See how the spell is broken at the end at the London Coliseum until Sunday 26 July. You'll leave the theatre with beautiful memories.
Principal dancer Nino Samadashvili as Odette