Join us for the First Night of Swan Lake, a spectacular classical performance danced by the English National Ballet ‘in the round’ at the Royal Albert Hall, London: sold out

To be there for the First Night of Swan Lake is always a thrill—and this classical performance is on a soaring scale. The sight of 60 ballerina swans—four times the usual number—on the Royal Albert Hall’s arena will captivate as the famous Hall is transformed into a magical lake for the world’s favourite ballet. With the beauties of the in-form English National Ballet dancers and the haunting music of Tchaikovsky, the evening will be a visual and musical feast.

Among the critical acclaim: ‘When the swans make their first entrance, wave after wave of them, it’s awesome. To see them move and breathe as one is profoundly touching.’ (Observer); ‘A remarkable and grand achievement’ (FT).

The date is Wednesday, June 17, 2020, and to make sure our Members do not miss this world famous production on this, the Opening Night, we have pre-booked best seats in the Stalls—a little elevated, to take in the full panorama of this glorious performance. And we shall open the evening with a delicious pre-theatre three-course Champagne Dinner at the Michelin Star Ritz Restaurant as well as The Dorchester Hotel, creating a glittering first act to the ballet. For all this, the cost to Members is just £169 instead of the full value of some £200.

Derek Deane’s Swan Lake is a tremendous achievement. It requires English National Ballet to field the equivalent of four casts in one performance, which the company achieves with considerable aplomb. Not only a pas de trois—the first major set piece—but a pas de douze. A dozen stunning principals and soloists deliver a quartet of gloriously co-ordinated pas de trois in a kaleidoscope of beautiful dance. They face out in all directions from the central performance space, gliding across the azure surface in a silent, silky flow. Suspended above and behind the stage, the ENB Philharmonic plays each of Tchaikovsky’s notes with tenderness and every crescendo with a soul-stirring thrill.

Leading the ballerinas will be Tamara Rojo CBE, former Royal Ballet star and now the Company’s creative director as well as first prima ballerina. Astonishing on stage—she has been described by The New York Times as ‘the greatest dance actress of her generation’—she is applauded also for her artistic vision.

This will be a wonderful First Night event, made even more pleasurable by the delicious Three-Course Champagne Dinner in the stylish, gilded Ritz Restaurant or The Dorchester Hotel—each a treat in itself, and only a few minutes’ taxi ride away from our seats at the Royal Albert Hall.

Through our special CountryClubuk arrangements, tickets for the full evening, including excellent seat in the Stalls for the Ballet, together with Three-Course Pre-Theatre Champagne Dinner, your taxi to whisk you to the Albert Hall, VAT and service charge, are only £169 per person instead of the full £200.