Swans

“Swans – Swan Lake” at Paribu Art (Special for World Dance Day)

On April 28–29 at Paribu Art, the Young Ballet Tan Sağtürk Company presents a groundbreaking reinterpretation of Swan Lake in celebration of World Dance Day.

This young and dynamic ensemble—bringing together classical ballet and hip-hop dancers—presents Swans, a production developed by Duende Global, offering a bold new perspective on the timeless masterpiece. By combining dance, music, and technology, the performance goes beyond classical conventions to create a youthful, powerful, and contemporary stage language.

About the piece – “Swans”

Performed by the Tan Sağtürk Young Ballet Company and produced by Duende Global, Swans is a two-act performance lasting approximately 75 minutes. It merges modern and neo-classical ballet approaches into a striking stage experience.

Tchaikovsky’s timeless score is reimagined for a contemporary aesthetic, offering audiences both familiarity and surprise. Hip-hop dancers joining the ballet ensemble bring additional rhythm, energy, and physical intensity to the production.

In this version, Rothbart and his companions are not just individual characters but embodiments of dark force, expressed through collective and powerful movement. Rothbart is portrayed by a young European Hip-Hop champion. The traditional good-versus-evil conflict is made visually striking through large ensemble scenes and physical theatricality, while the contrast between white and black swans becomes a powerful visual composition on stage.

One of the most remarkable aspects of the production is the fusion of classical ballet with contemporary dance, resulting in a fresh, dynamic, and playful reinterpretation. While remaining faithful to the essence of Swan Lake, Swans concludes with a hopeful finale in which love and goodness prevail over darkness.

Synopsis

SWANS reinterprets the classic Swan Lake story through a contemporary stage language. The white swans represent purity and goodness, facing the forces of darkness embodied by Rothbart and his hip-hop ensemble.

At the heart of the story lies the love between a young prince and Odette. Jesters and acrobatic dancers add joy, movement, and freedom to the narrative. Classical ballet blends with hip-hop and contemporary dance, while music, movement, and technology merge on stage.

The story unfolds through the contrast between black and white swans, ultimately concluding with a hopeful ending where love and goodness triumph over darkness.

Credits

Artistic Director: Tan Sağtürk
Music: Pyotr Ilyich Tchaikovsky
Arrangements: Cenk Şahinalp
Directed by: Volkan Ersoy
Stage & Concept Design: Cem Görk
Choreographers: Zehra Nurieva, Dilvin Ofluoğlu, Melis Özbek Yerebakan, Zeynep İşler Altunbaş, Gizem Altunay, Christina Şengül, Aslı Günenç
Assistant Director: Fatoş Sel
Costume Design: Mine İzgi, Fatoş Sel
Video Mapping: Ahmet Şeren