THE Russian State Ballet & Orchestra of Siberia return to Mayflower Theatre next week with a repertory of three sumptuous ballets, La Fille mal gardée, The Nutcracker and Swan Lake.

La Fille mal gardée Tuesday, January 13, 7.30pm

Recreated by Alexander Gorsky, this remains one of the oldest ballets still regularly performed.

A gentle tale of love thwarted, unrequited and found. It is a masterpiece of comedy.

With plenty of ribbons, romance and rivalry, La Fille mal gardée conjures up a world of pastoral simplicity where a farm boy woos a flirty farmer’s daughter and they find inventive ways to avoid her mother.

Complete with virtuoso pas de deux, maypole and clog dances, this classic ballet will send you home happy, delighting those enjoying it for the very first time as well as those who want to see it again and again.

Swan Lake Wednesday 14 January 7.30pm Thursday, January 15, 2pm & 7.30pm Friday, January 16, 7.30pm

The greatest romantic ballet of all time is brought to life by Tchaikovsky’s haunting and unforgettable score. From the impressive splendour of the Palace ballroom to the moon-lit lake where swans glide in perfect formation this compelling tale of tragic romance has it all.

From Odile, the temptress in black tulle as she seduces the Prince by spinning with captivating precision to the spellbound purity of the swan queen, Odette as she flutters with emotional intensity, the dual role of Odette/Odile is one of ballet’s most unmissable technical challenges.

The Nutcracker Saturday, January 17, 2pm & 7.30pm

This most famous of fantasy ballets for all the family begins as night falls on Christmas Eve.

As snowflakes fall outside, the warm glow of the open fire sends flickering shadows across the boughs of the Christmas tree and all the presents beneath.

When midnight strikes we are swept away to a fairy-tale world where nothing is quite as it seems, toy dolls spring to life, the Mouse-king and his mouse-army battle with the Nutcracker Prince and we travel through the Land of Snow to an enchanted place where the magic really begins...

The Russian State Ballet & Orchestra of Siberia

Formed in 1981, The Russian State Ballet of Siberia has quickly established itself as one of Russia’s leading ballet companies and has built an international reputation for delivering performances of outstanding quality and unusual depth.

The soloists and corps de ballet are superb and never fail to delight audiences with their breath-taking physical ability and dazzling costumes.

  • Tickets are on sale from Mayflower Theatre Box Office tel: 023 8071 1811 or online at mayflower.org.uk. Ovation Restaurant bookings: 023 8071 1833.