AAH, they knew how to create a ballet in those days. Swan Lake is the epitome of everything a ballet should be.

Exquisite choreography, sublime music from the pen of a genius, a bitter/sweet fairytale in which, ok, the main protagonists do die but, actually love conquers all - particularly an over-the-top villain - and, generally, a wonderful evening of magical fantasy away from the troubled world of today.

The Russian State Ballet of Siberia brings its interpretation of the most traditional of traditional ballets to Malvern - and with it a few surprises. A Swan Lake veteran, this is the first time I've seen a production in which the prince and evil magician - in this case an 'Evil Genius' - die and swan princess Odette is left to mourn. Forever a swan presumably, too.

Personally, I'm not quite sure it worked, but the dancers' closing formation as the curtain came down was visually spectacular and very moving.

There were also a few black swans in the final act too - another first for many in the audience, I'm sure.

Anastasia Tchumakova carried off the Odette/Odile role in breathtaking fashion; a heartstoppingly beautiful delicate princess with an apparent ability to float on air and then turning into a wicked, feisty, sexy villain's daughter, with plenty of knowing glances at the audience, drawing them right in to the deception.

Demid Zykov brought presence and menace to his Evil Genius and was an exciting dancer to watch but I was disappointed by Kicolai Oliunin's Prince Siegried. His dancing was graceful and languid - but lacked fire and passion.

Costumes were spectacular (although the lack of crown, the key way of identifying Odette from the other swans, when the princess appears at the window during the ball was a serious and mystifying omission), the Corps de Ballet sometimes ragged, sometimes precise and while Tchaikovsky's music never fails to move the soul, it did appear to get the better of the orchestra several times.

That all said, it was a wonderful night with some beautiful dancing. I've seen better - but I've seen much, much worse. We don't get enough live ballet in this area - this company went more than some way to making up for that lack.

Juliette Kemp