Shanghai Ballet’s grand production of Swan Lake returns this National Day holiday at the Shanghai International Dance Center Theater. With Derek Deane’s masterful choreography and Tchaikovsky’s timeless score, this “Swan Ocean” gathers the largest corps de ballet ever seen in China. Celebrating its 10th anniversary, this version has captivated audiences at home and abroad with nearly 300 performances worldwide.

First staged in 2015 for the 120th anniversary of Swan Lake, Shanghai Ballet’s grand production—choreographed by Derek Deane, former Artistic Director of the English National Ballet—created an unprecedented “Swan Ocean” on stage. Featuring a vast corps of swans, the choreography transforms the stage into sweeping, elegant tableaux, each freeze frame a breathtaking image.

Since its premiere, this production has toured across China and internationally, including Europe, Australia, and four sold-out shows at Lincoln Center in New York. It has been performed nearly 300 times, winning acclaim for its grandeur and beauty. In 2024, it was featured on the CCTV Spring Festival Gala, cementing its place as one of Shanghai Ballet’s signature works.

In 2025, the grand Swan Lake marks its 10th anniversary with the company’s star dancers and the largest swan ensemble to date, offering a dazzling tribute to Tchaikovsky’s 130-year-old masterpiece. With Derek Deane’s choreography, Peter Farmer’s elegant sets and costumes, and Howard Harrison’s dramatic lighting, Shanghai Ballet presents a production that combines technical brilliance, visual spectacle, and enduring romance.

Production Credits

• Producer: Zhang Songhua
• Production Director: Ji Pingping
• Artistic Director: Xin Lili
• Composer: P. I. Tchaikovsky
• Choreographer: Derek Deane (after Marius Petipa)
• Set & Costume Designer: Peter Farmer
• Lighting Designer: Howard Harrison
• Performed by: Shanghai Ballet