“A Khmer Swan Lake”. Created by Angkor Dance Troupe, Inc. Presented by Merrimack Repertory Theatre, Liberty Hall, 50 E. Merrimack Street, Lowell, through April 26.
By Michele Markarian
Every so often, one sees a performance that’s so breathtakingly artful that it’s hard to describe. A Khmer Swan Lake, created by the Angkor Dance Troupe, is one of them, presenting a gorgeous rendition of the 19th-century ballet, first scored by Tchaikovsky (which Angkor gives a periodic nod to by inserting snippets of his score at key moments). Swan Lake writer and music composer Sot Somaly has created a sometimes lilting, often dramatic and melodic recorded score of traditional Cambodian music comprised of four singers and five musicians that capture the natural world, the world of the court, and the spiritual realm accordingly.
A Khmer Swan Lake tells the story of Odette Devy (Channa Sath), a beautiful girl who is cursed in the forest by the Garuda King (Roza Lay) when she refuses his advances. Her curse entails living as a swan by day and a human at night. Prince Siegfried (Peter Veth), hunting in the forest one day, spies the White Swan, falls in love with her and swears his devotion. The Garuda King is informed of this by his daughter, Odile Devi, who he turns into the Black Swan. They capture Odette and leave her in the forest, where she is rescued by forest creatures. Back at court, princesses vie for Prince Siegfried’s attention and affection, but his eye is caught by Odile, whom he mistakes for Odette. Odette arrives at the palace just in time to see Prince Siegfried propose to Odile; heartbroken, she flees to the forest. Prince Siegfried follows her and explains that he was deceived. Odette forgives him, but they are discovered by a furious Garuda King who challenges Prince Siegfried to battle. The frail Odette is blown off a cliff, and Garuda is killed by the Prince, who nonetheless dies of a broken heart. Odette, finally free of her curse, is reunited with Prince Siegfried in heaven, where they dwell peacefully in the spiritual realm.
It’s a beautiful story with a much better ending than the “Swan Lake” I’ve seen at the ballet. Kakada Nim’s stunning costumes have been brought over from Cambodia, and Anshuman Bhatia’s scenic and lighting design is gorgeous. All these elements work in complete harmony with this impressive company of young dancers. I know little about Khmer classical dance; my friend and I marveled at the composed strength in the deliberate movements and the expressive gestures of the hands and palms. There is even expression in the feet. Their technique didn’t just extend to dance; the acting is affecting, particularly Sath and Veth as Odette and Prince Siegfried. Both were able to convey emotional depth and longing with their gestures and facial expressions.
Mind you, I attended this show in previews, in its early stages of being presented to a live audience, and it was one of the highlights of this theater season. With everything going on in the world right now, this elegant piece is an escape into a world that transcends sorrow. For more information and tickets, go to: https://mrt.org/show/a-khmer-swan-lake/
