BP White Swan

We wanted to use classical dance – an unusual campaigning medium – to engage an audience of art-lovers. Although meant to be enjoyable, our performance was also intended to shock, depicting a struggle between a vulnerable creature and a seemingly unstoppable oil giant. We based our performance on the ‘happy’ version of Tchaikovsky’s finale as we believe that this particular story might – fingers crossed -turn out to have a happy ending.

The five-minute piece begins with the beautiful swan Odette and the Prince dancing happily together. Suddenly they’re disturbed by the entrance of BP villain Rothbart! Trailing oil behind him, Rothbart captures the swan and nearly kills her, before engaging the Prince in a fight to the death. Transforming his pity to strength and resolve, the Prince manages to strike Rothbart down, before turning to see the near-dead Swan lying nearby. Fortunately Odette is able to recover, though she still bears scars from her oily ordeal. Nonetheless, it’s a happy ending for them both… this time, at least…