English National Ballet, Le Corsaire, Coliseum

Ballet as escapism, magical exoticism and virtuoso dancing – that’s Le Corsaire in a nutshell; and English National Ballet’s production makes the most of all those qualities, as well as affording its superb dancers plenty of opportunities to shine.

The plot of this 19th-century Marius Petipa work, loosely based on a poem by none other than Lord Byron, is gloriously silly: three ship-wrecked pirates are washed ashore and meet three beautiful maidens. Love is inevitable…

The course of true love never ran smooth, though; but whoever coined that adage didn’t reckon on the nerve and resourcefulness of these three pirates.

The young women are captured by slave traders and sold at the market to the old, doddery but very wealthy Seid Pasha, who has them carried to his harem. And, of course, after much swashbuckling action, and all manner of hilarious developments, they are duly rescued by their paramours, and all sail off in search of new adventures.

The current ENB production of Le Corsaire is truly spectacular. Staged by Anna-Marie Holmes, it flows from seashore to vibrant market place, sumptuous harem to moonlit cave to dreamy garden of delights, and ends with a true coup de théâtre…

Sets and costumes are by Bob Ringwood (of Hollywood fame) and the ballet’s sweeping score is played live by the English National Ballet Orchestra.

Le Corsaire shows off ENB dancers at their best, both in the ensemble sequences, where their verve and coordination are a delight to behold; and in the solos, where the men’s virtuoso dancing comes to the fore, often eliciting yelps of admiration from enthused audiences.

The short Le Corsaire pas de deux is a staple of galas the world over; but English National Ballet is the only UK company to dance this ballet in its entirety.

See it at the Coliseum in January!