Grahamstown — Swan Lake - the proverbial tale of love's triumph over evil, choreographed through ballet, has enthralled the audience at the  National Arts Festival in Grahamstown, which took place earlier this month.

The Cape Town City Ballet brilliantly performed this revered piece of classical ballet to a full house. The opening scene is captured by a jester who with fine dance, comical gestures and facial expressions left kids giggling and adults murmuring with laughter.

A stellar series of individual, joint, slow and fast dance routines ensued, surprisingly rounded off with tambourines and a hint of Swedish and tap dancing too.

In another memorable scene, a whiff of white smoke billowed from the stage until it dispersed across the entire theatre, giving the audience a full circle experience of feeling at one with the cast. The story is about a prince who faces an arranged marriage. But he falls in love with a swan who is banished by an evil sorcerer, paving the way for the sorcerer's daughter to marry the prince. But in the end the royal heir unites with his love.

The rhythm of the ballet's deft dance movements are synchronised with Pyotr Tchaikovsky's breathtaking music. With creative lighting and elegant costumes added to the mix, the production is a moving masterpiece.

Some audience responses:

Bridget Kasi: "The whole background, the art, everything was well done and I just enjoyed it!"

Tselo Taka concurred: "The orchestra I think should receive incredible kudos and applause - amazing, amazing - and the dancing was just beautiful, breathtaking and awe-inspiring."

The Cape Town City Ballet will be performing 'Swan Lake' at the Artscape in Cape Town from August 19 to 26.