Two classic ballets come to Northampton

Saint Petersburg Classic Ballet embarks on its first UK tour having received critical acclaim in the United States, Russia and Scandinavia.

The company will present Giselle on Monday January 11 and Tuesday 12 January, and The Nutcracker from Wednesday January 13 to Saturday January 16.

Combining classical training and technique with the best-loved Russian ballets, Saint Petersburg Classic Ballet’s performances have an air of magic, complemented by a full orchestra and outstanding male soloists.

Touring a traditional repertoire which features principle dancer Natalia Romanova – one of the pupils of the late legendary ballerina Natalya Dudinskaya – the ballets will certainly enchant dance fans.

The Nutcracker is a delightfully festive tale, and the perfect introduction to ballet, as Clara is whisked away on a fairytale adventure by her Nutcracker prince. One of the few 19th century romantic ballets to survive intact, Giselle tells of a village girl whose everlasting love saves her beloved from a wretched dance to the death.

Saint Petersburg Ballet Theatre was formed in 1996 by Marina Medvetskaya, who herself is a disciple of Vakhtang Chaboukiana and was the Prima Ballerina of the Tbilisi State Academic Opera and Ballet Theatre.

Artistic Director Marina Medvetskaya said: “It has been a dream of mine to bring this company to audiences in the UK. We have enjoyed wonderful reviews from America, Northern and Eastern Europe and I believe UK dance fans will embrace the beauty, power and dexterity of our male and female dancers in these icon ballets.”

Saint Petersburg Classic Ballet takes to the Derngate stage to perform the romantic ballet Giselle on at 7.30pm, and then the magical classic The Nutcracker from 7.30pm with matinees on Wednesday and Saturday at 2.30pm.

Tickets – priced from £16 to £35 – can be booked by calling box office on 01604 624811 or visit www.royalandderngate.co.uk.