Bruhn’s Swan Lake was a fascinating psychological drama that departed from traditional versions, which proved controversial and ground-breaking. He enhanced the role of Prince Siegfried, whom he occasionally performed, with more dancing and depth, saying he wished to tell the story of the Prince rather than the Swan Queen. He also changed the role of Von Rothbart, the evil sorcerer, to the Black Queen (initially played by Franca). His telling changed the story from a struggle between good and evil to focus on the Prince’s relationships with the women in his life – his mother, the Black Queen, the Swan Queen and the Black Swan – each representing a different form of control or influence. To emphasize the powerful emotion of the story, Bruhn reinstated the tragic ending, with the Prince driven to his death by the swans.
Erik Bruhn
Prince
Lois Smith
Swan Queen/Black Swan
Celia Franca
Black Queen
Yves Cousineau
Tutor
Olga Makcheeva
Queen Mother
Joysanne Sidimus
Prince's Friend
Leeyan Granger
Leading Swan
Vanessa Harwood
Leading Swan
Elizabeth Keeble
Leading Swan
Black Swan76%
Girl with a Pearl Earring66%
Barbie of Swan Lake70%
Enchanted68%
Hamnet77%
Snow White and the Huntsman59%
Mayerling62%
The Beaver63%
Hamlet73%
Barbie in the Pink Shoes69%
Gabriel's Inferno: Part III83%
The Meg62%
Fantastic Beasts: The Secrets of Dumbledore66%
Hogfather68%
Turning Red73%
Bride & Prejudice64%
Frozen72%
Invincible62%
The Last House on the Left64%
Fifty Shades of Grey58%
