Join us for the First Night of Swan Lake, a lavish classical performance danced by the acclaimed State Ballet of Georgia, one of the world’s Top 10 Ballet Companies, performing in London for the first time in its 175-year history: the date is Wednesday, August 28, 2024: event fully booked and successfully concluded

Join us for the First Night of Swan Lake, a lavish classical performance danced by the acclaimed State Ballet of Georgia, one of the world’s Top 10 Ballet Companies, performing in London for the first time in its 175-year history. We have pre-booked seats in the Orchestra Stalls for this sell-out First Night, and if you wish you can open the evening in style with a delicious three-course Champagne Dinner at the world famous Wiltons, London’s oldest restaurant, founded in 1742.

To be there in person for the First Night of Swan Lake is always a real pleasure—and for this latest event we shall be among the first to see the State Ballet of Georgia perform in London. Their sumptuous full-length classical production promises to create a wonderful ballet event.

With the haunting music of Tchaikovsky, played by the English National Opera, and with the beauties of the in-form State Ballet of Georgia dancers, the evening will be a visual and musical feast, a captivating First Night as the famous London Coliseum is transformed into a magical lake for the world’s favourite ballet.

With its exacting, virtuoso Russian schooling and style, the 70-strong State Ballet of Georgia is rated among the 10 best classical ballet companies in the world, and has been reaching new heights under the directorship of the world renowned former Bolshoi and American Ballet Theatre prima ballerina Nina Ananiashvili. Those lucky enough to have seen Ananiashvili dance in London will never forget her transporting artistry. Based at the stunning Opera and Ballet State Theatre in the Georgian capital of Tbilisi, this company of ‘versatile and accomplished’ dancers (The New York Times) has soared under the bold artistic direction of Ananiashvili, who returned to Georgia in 2004 to lead the Company.

Among the critical acclaim: “The Company is dazzlingly polished, strong in technique and appearance. The corps of swans is beautiful and immaculate in their footwork and lines, creating a breathtaking effect.’ Spoleto Festival, USA.

Star ballerinas include Nino Samadashvili, Principal Dancer, and Laura Fernandez, half-Ukrainian and half-Spanish, who fled Moscow—and her position as first soloist with the Stanislavsky Theatre—in 2022 as Russia invaded Ukraine. Guest stars include Ukrainian ballerina Anastasia Matvienko, a former star at the Mariinsky Theatre in St Petersburg and now a principal at the Slovenian National Ballet, and Chloe Misseldine of the American Ballet Theater.

The male soloists include leading Georgian dancer Daler Zaparov, who has previously danced with Universal Ballet Company, Seoul, and Astana Opera; Oleg Legai, a former soloist with the Czech National Ballet; and Michal Krcmar, former star dancer of the Finnish National Ballet.

Despite being one of the world’s most accomplished and thrilling dance companies, the State Ballet of Georgia has never before appeared in London during its distinguished 175-year history. For a small nation, with a population fewer than 4 million, Georgia has exported many ballet legends. Three of the most important figures in world ballet during the 20th century were George Balanchine (born Balanchivadze, 1904-1983), regarded as the ‘father’ of American ballet and still—40 years’ after his death—one of the most influential choreographers; Vakhtang Chabukiani (1910-1992), a virtuoso dancer following in the footsteps of Nijinsky; and Tamara Toumanova (birth name (1919–1996), one of the century’s most sought-after dancers, and who became a Hollywood film star.

On our Opening Night, Tchaikovsky’s glorious score will be played live by the English National Opera Orchestra and the full length classical production will re-enact the famously compelling love story between a melancholy prince and a bewitched princess turned into a swan by an evil sorcerer. Two versions of the finale exist: a happy ending, and a not so happy one. In both love is glorified, but we’re not sure which one this company has opted for.

There is the sheer magic of the white Acts II and IV, with their impeccably marshalled flocks of swans dancing by the dreamy, moonlit lakeside. And then there is the central figure of Odette/Odile, a tour de force for any ballerina, who has to be the good, loving Swan Princess Odette in Acts II and IV and her evil, seductive double, the Black Swan Odile, in Act III. Prince Siegfried must be a solid partner, as well as an excellent dancer to meet the virtuoso demands of the Black Swan pas de deux.

In short, there is much to enjoy. For Ananiashvili, this is a very special ballet. As she recalls, ‘It was the first ballet that I performed in the Bolshoi Theatre and was my first and final significant performance at American Ballet Theatre.’

This promises to be a wonderful First Night, made even more pleasurable by a delicious Three-Course Champagne Dinner at Wiltons—a treat in itself, and only a few minutes’ taxi ride or walk away from our seats at the London Coliseum.

Through our special CountryClubuk arrangements, tickets for the full evening, including excellent seat in the Orchestra Stalls for the Ballet, with Three-Course Pre-Theatre Champagne Dinner at Wiltons, your taxi to the Coliseum, VAT and service charge, are only £169 instead of the full value of up to £214. For tickets alone, the CCUK price is £87.

To book for the full evening of Swan Lake preceded by Three-Course Champagne Dinner at Wilton’s at £169 per person, please click here.

To book tickets only at £87 per person, please click here.

Or call Member Services on 020 7399 2960.

However you choose to make your reservations, places will be allocated on a strict first-come-first-served basis.

To extend the pleasure of the evening and stay at one of our hand-picked hotels or clubs at special Club rates, please click here to check the options or call Member Services on 020 7399 2960.



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