'Elizabeth' at the Barbican

A couple of weeks ago I went to see a Royal Opera House production of 'Elizabeth' at the Barbican. It was only on for a few performances and I was there for the final performance. It's a tale about Elizabeth I and was first performed at Greenwich where she was born. It's a mix of dance and song, music and spoken word about Elizabeth from her letters and those who knew her and tells the tale of her relationship with the men she was closest to.

It opens with Elizabeth in old age and, as she reminiscences about her life, we're transported back to see the young Elizabeth, our Virgin Queen assuming the throne and command over all English men. We hear how the men closest to her use that very closeness to garner power and wealth for themselves until Elizabeth sees what is happening and ends it. We see Sir Walter Raleigh and Essex, all close for a while and then time moves on. And through this we hear the solo cello, the words read from private letters and the songs. And, of course, the dance.

Elizabeth was danced by Zenaida Yanowsky, a former Principal with the Royal Ballet who retired from the Royal Ballet last year. She has all her skill and charm and kept all eyes on her when she danced. It was nice to see her brother Yuri, as well, who danced all the male parts with brief costume changes. They've danced together since they were children so can anticipate each other and make the whole thing fluid and alive. We also had Samantha Bond narrating some of the performance.

It was a really enjoyable production, only 90 minutes with no interval but that felt about right. The mix of solo cello, songs and readings highlighted by some glorious dancing, sometimes delicate and sometimes robust was all quite delightful.

The cast were enjoying a very lusty applause when Zenaida signalled for quiet and pulled a note out of her bodice and began saying that she was pleased to be dancing this role that was created for her by Will Tuckett since it was to be her last public performance. You could hear the collective gasps of breath at that announcement. I was astonished since I'd been present at her last dance with the Royal Ballet when she was awarded a rain of flowers thrown endlessly onto the stage and the parade of her Principal men dancers and choreographers, all paying tribute. To then be present at her last dance was very strange indeed. It was quite an honour to be able to say farewell to a great dancer who has, no doubt, inspired many others over the years to become dancers.

Farewell Zenaida.