BIRMINGHAM Royal Ballet (BRB) glides into 2020 with a UK tour of Sir Peter Wright’s critically acclaimed Swan Lake, opening at Mayflower Theatre on Wednesday.

Ballet’s greatest love story returns in this lavish production, which is in Southampton until Saturday February 1.

This romantic fable of ill-fated passion, powerfully illuminated by Tchaikovsky’s legendary score played live by the Royal Ballet Sinfonia, has bewitched audiences for generations.

By a moonlit lake, a grieving prince witnesses the transformation of a swan into a beautiful princess. Compelled by an evil spell to spend her days in the form of a bird, she can only be saved by the power of love.

Filled with exquisite ensembles, lyrical pas de deux and bravura solos, this Swan Lake is atmospheric, romantic and beautiful – an unforgettable experience.

The cast will include Céline Gittens and Momoko Hirata in the double principal roles of Odette/ Odile, partnered respectively with Tyrone Singleton and César Morales as Prince Siegfried.

Alongside the full Swan Lake production, an hour-long, interactive afternoon show First Steps: Swan Lake on Friday January 31, features excerpts from the ballet, performed by Birmingham Royal Ballet’s amazing dancers and full orchestra. These are interspersed with scenes in which a storyteller sets the scene, introduces children to the music and characters, and shares some of the technical magic surrounding the ballet. A feast of dance, music, costumes and fun, this is a perfect introduction to ballet.

Swan Lake Dreams also takes place on Sunday February 2. BRB has been rolling out its large-scale performance project to ballet students of all ages and abilities in two of its touring regions as well as the Midlands.

A cast of approximately 70 selected students from each of the Southampton, Birmingham and Plymouth areas were invited earlier this year to audition for a role in a performance on the main stage of their local theatre, alongside the company. They have each been given the opportunity to train, rehearse and perform in a full-length ballet alongside Birmingham Royal Ballet dancers. Open to ballet students aged eight plus, the Swan Lake Dreams project gives insight into the Company workings while aiming to develop talent and raise aspirations for dancers of all ages.

Tickets: 023 8071 1811 or mayflower.org.uk