Swan lake reinvented

Forget what you know of classical ballet Swan Lake. It's been smashed and reconstructed by fast-rising South African choreographer Dada Masilo who mixes ballet and contemporary moves with hot African dance. What you get is not a traditional interpretation but a thoroughly iconoclastic and whimsical version that comments on contemporary African issues. Comically, Masilo depicts Odette and Siegfried as not being in love but forced into a marriage in respect of social customs.

Meanwhile, the much-beloved swans are here played by both men and women in tutus. Marius Petipa may be turning in his grave, but Merce Cunningham might just approve.

Dada Masilo's Swan Lake by the Dance Factory plays at the Esplanade Theatre until Oct 21 at 8pm. Tickets from Sistic.