Later this month, the Varna International Ballet and Orchestra makes its first-ever visit to The Hexagon.
The prestigious Bulgarian company, which celebrated its 75th anniversary last year, is performing two hugely popular classical ballets: the romantic Swan Lake, set to Tchaikovsky’s ravishing score; and The Nutcracker, featuring an enchanted journey on Christmas Eve.
Varna’s Artistic Director Daniela Ivanova-Dimova, and soloists Claire Gillard and Vittorio Scolè, are looking forward to the show.
Daniela says the company are delighted to be visiting.
“We’re celebrating 75 years of Varna State Opera: our company was founded back in 1947. We are so happy that in this special year, we’re visiting the UK for the first time with these four wonderful productions. It’s a great honour.”
Claire was born in London, and has family here, while it will be Vittorio’s first visit.
“I’m curious to see new cities I’ve never been to; when I have any free time, I’ll definitely be a tourist,” he says.
Daniela says Varna is second town in Bulgaria, and is “a beautiful pearl on the Black Sea Coast … Many famous ballet stars from around the world have come to compete – like Mikhail Baryshnikov and Sylvie Guillem.
“Now, our troupe is really revered in Bulgaria, and many young international ballet artists are eager to come and work here.”
Claire says the shows are traditional ballets that people love.
“They have great music, great stories and beautiful dancing,” she says. “I’m performing [the lead roles of] Odette/Odile in Swan Lake, and Marie in The Nutcracker.
“I really love Swan Lake, because you get to be elegant and soft in the first act, and then you play the dark swan in the second act, which is a big change of personality.
“It’s really fun to do.”
Vittorio, on the other hand, plays the princes in both shows.
“I would say the Prince in Swan Lake is the most difficult, but you keep practising and every time you do something different with your movement or your face so it’s always getting better, better, better,” he explains.
There are around 40 dancers, plus 30 musicians performing.
“It makes such a difference having the orchestra with us. I feel it in my heart: the music and dancing are together, they are one,” Vittoria explains.
“You might be scared before you go on stage, but when the orchestra plays you get this feeling that’s impossible to explain: it’s like a dream. We are carried away, and I hope people watching are too.”
Daniela says that the staging has a role to play as well.
“We have all new sets, decoration and costumes from the past year or two. It’s a very important part of these prestigious new productions that we’re bringing to the UK,” she says.
Some may feel that ballet is elitist, or not accessible for younger audiences, but Daniela disagrees.
“There is nothing better than The Nutcracker – that’s the perfect show for families,” she says, something echoed by Claire, who feels “all of these ballets are really accessible. There’s nothing better than seeing children in the audience with smiles on their faces.
“When I was a little kid, my mum always took me to Swan Lake, and I’d say, ‘Oh, Mum, when I grow up I want to be a swan’. Now I am.
“I’m so thankful to be on stage, hopefully with other little kids looking up at me and having that dream.”
What can audiences expect from a Varna ballet?
Claire says: “They’re going to really like our company because we’re just full of energy, and we have a great connection on stage between all the dancers. I think they’ll feel our passion and our joy.”
Vittoria adds: “You don’t need to understand all the ballet technique or the history. We’re bringing stories with princes and princesses that little kids will love, as well as beautiful dancing, costumes, music: everything you need to have a magical time.”
Varna International Ballet will perform The Nutcracker at The Hexagon on Friday, February 23 at 7.30pm. Swan Lake is on Saturday, February 25, at 2.30pm and 7.30pm. Ticket prices vary.
For more details, or to book, log on to: whatsonreading.com, or call the box office on 0118 960 6060.
Marianka Swain
