Crimson Herd of Unlikely Mates

SWAN LAKE

Act 1: Scene 1: The Prince Ziegfried’s coming of age party is held in the garden of the castle with his family and friends. The court jester is the favourite and is in the limelight of attention. The Prince is given a medallion as a symbol of maturity and a crossbow as a symbol of a warrior by his mother, the Queen. The happy Prince is dancing with his friends and courtiers. As it gets dark the Prince is left alone with his dreams and his friends and the court jester arrive to take him hunting. Scene 2: A flock of swans are swimming in the evening mist on the lake. The Prince watches the swans turn into young girls. The evil magician Rotbart had cast a spell on Odette, the Queen of the swans and her friends and turned them into swans. The spell can only be broken by a young man who has never pledged his love to another girl before falls in love with her. Prince Ziegfried gives her a vow of eternal love and fidelity. Act 2: Scene 1: A big gala ball is being held at the castle by the Queen. Prince Ziegfried is to choose himself a fiancée. After dancing with young girls he can’t choose but when a mysterious knight appears with a beautiful girl, the Prince gives a vow of eternal love to her. A white swan appears and throws herself at the window. The Prince is in despair and runs away from the castle. Scene 2: At night back at the lake Odette returns and tells the other swans of the betrayal of the prince. The evil magician has triumphed. The Prince appears and fights the magician . True and selfless love breaks the evil charms. Evil is defeated and all powerful love wins. As dawn breaks the swans turn into girls and with the Prince and Odette they set out on the road towards a new life.

In all our finery (and a few red hats etc)Lady Lowsborough-Goodby,Lady MacMuck,Lady S.M,Lady Butterfly,Lady D.DV,Lady K.R and I went to the Illawarra Performing Arts Centre to see Swan Lake Ballet by the Russian National Ballet Theatre. In fact there were some very well dressed Illawarrans there to watch this ballet. We had a cuppa,wine and some munchies before we entered the theatre to take our seats. We were not disappointed by the beautiful girls and legging wearing guys performing this wonderful ballet. The ballet dancing, outfits and the settings were just spectacular with the music setting the scene. This was my first ballet and would love to see more. Some ladies seated in front of us nicely lent us some pamphlets on future ballets and other performances so we could be very busy in the future. Lady R.C.