English National Ballet: Le Corsaire, London Coliseum

Le Corsaire was the first full-length new production of an old spectacular commissioned by English National Ballet’s director, Tamara Rojo. Premiered in 2013, it received ecstatic reviews and enthused ballet lovers with its magical sets, joyous and colourful ensemble numbers, virtuoso solo dances and its exotic tale of pirates, harems and rescued captive maidens.
Inspired by Lord Byron’s poem The Corsair with original choreography by Marius Petipa in 1856, ENB’s current version was lavishly restaged by Anna-Marie Holmes; and ENB is currently the only English ballet company to have a full length version of Le Corsaire in its repertoire.
From a busy marketplace through splendid palaces to a dramatic finale we follow our daring hero, the pirate Conrad, braving all manner of perils to rescue his lover, harem girl Medora, from slave trader Lankendem.
Without wishing to spoil the surprise, watch out for an eye-popping shipwreck.
In past years ENB’s outstanding male dancers have relished the opportunity to show off their technique and virtuosity in a number of plum roles; but this year the level is raised even higher with the arrival of Cuban prodigy Osiel Gouneo as Principal Guest Artist.
Gouneo follows in the tradition of breathtaking Cuban male dancers with a powerful, soaring jump, multiple pirouettes and a cheeky twinkle in his eye – all perfect for the principal role of Conrad. He will star alongside ENB principals Alina Cojucaru or Erina Takahashi in alternate performances.
His fellow Cuban star Yonah Acosta (Carlos Acosta’s nephew) will alternate in the role of Conrad; and fans of Tamara Rojo will have an opportunity to see her dance the role of Medora in selected performances.
Even those who’ve never seen the full-length Le Corsaire are bound to have seen the party-piece pas de deux which never fails to turn up in ballet galas, and with which Rudolf Nureyev wowed Western audiences in the 1960s in partnership with Margot Fonteyn.
The production has sets and costumes by Hollywood film designer Bob Ringwood, whose film credits include Batman, Alien 3 and Troy. Using original paintings, prints and engravings, he produces exquisite recreations of the 19th century.
Set to a musical score listing nine composers such as Minkus, Adam and Delibes, Le Corsaire is a thrilling spectacle bound to send punters of all ages dancing into the cold January night. Book now!