When the Guangdong Acrobatic Troupe first brought its version of Swan Lake to London in 2008, those who saw it couldn't believe their eyes. The Chinese company performs jaw-dropping stunts of physical daring, flimsily linked to the world's most famous ballet.
In fact, despite being called Swan Lake and sounding like Swan Lake, this isn't really the classic ballet as dance fans know it. For a start, it's performed to a so-so recording of Tchaikovsky's wonderful music that has been chopped and changed around, added to which the plot bears almost no relation to the original.
But this is to miss the point of this Swan Lake, which makes no pretence at the 19th-century story.
Rather it showcases the very considerable
ability of the lead performers, Wu Zhengdan as the Swan Princess and Wei Baohua as the Prince.
Neither are classical dancers in the league of, say, the Mariinsky Ballet now at the Opera House, although both have elegance, poise, flair, commitment and dignity. But again, this misses their point, which is acrobatic finesse.
They are extraordinarily good, with neat, polished moves and ingenious poses. When Zhengdan balances on one leg on her partner's head, the other leg lifted high behind, she seems to defy the laws of nature. The slow-motion quality of it all reveals, rather than obscures, the manoeuvres.
Having praised the troupe, I should report the naff giant swan, disjointed drama and feeble gags.
And compared with the last visit, the production looks threadbare.
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The Guangdong Acrobatic Troupe Of China: Swan Lake
London Coliseum
St Martin's Lane, WC2N 4ES
