THE RUSSIAN STATE BALLET OF SIBERIA have arrived into the capital for a series of shows to take us through Christmas and into the New Year, accompanied by the Russian State Ballet Orchestra. In the repertoire are probably the most iconic and classic productions ever.
THE NUTCRACKER, SWAN LAKE, SNOW MAIDEN, CINDERELLA and ROMEO AND JULIET, will be brought to life with some of the most incredible performers, but also with magical special effects.
The Russian State Ballet of Siberia was formed in 1978 by talented graduates from choreographic schools in Moscow, St Petersburg, Kiev, Novosibirsk and Yekaterinburg. Many have gone on to become award winning artists and made prominent appearances at international ballet competitions and festivals.
The twentieth anniversary season actually launches at St David’s Hall Cardiff with performances from 18th December, it will then tour throughout the UK from January through to March, with dates in Basingstoke, Blackpool, Bournemouth, Brighton, Bristol, Buxton, Darlington, Edinburgh, High Wycombe, Hull, Ipswich, Leicester, Liverpool, Northampton, Nottingham, Manchester, Oxford, Peterborough, Reading, Sheffield, Southend, Wimbledon and Wolverhampton.
We sent our prizewinner Laura and her daughter Bethan along to the opening night, and they can report the show was ‘fantastic’ and they ‘loved every minute of it’.
We get the tour first, and that is always a good thing.
The Russian State Ballet of Siberia – led by Artistic Director SERGEI BOBROV, and Music Director ANATOLY TCHEPURNOI – has established itself as one of Russia’s leading ballet companies and has built an international reputation for delivering performances of outstanding quality and depth. Since their first Christmas season at St David’s Hall in Cardiff in 2002, the Company has completed 18 UK tours and has had success in Italy, Spain, Slovakia, Japan, Turkey, Bulgaria, Taiwan, United Arab Emirates and Singapore.
Sergei told us…..
“I am delighted to return to the UK this year. The response of audiences wherever the company performs is overwhelming. We can’t wait to be back on stage again in front of UK audiences once again.”
Sergei has been Artistic Director since 2002. Leading dancers from across Russia have forged their skills and artistry under his direction in new productions of timeless classics such as The Nutcracker, Swan Lake, The Sleeping Beauty, Coppélia and La Fille mal gardée.
We were fortunate to grab a few minutes on a Zoom call with Sergei Bobrov and Vital Mikhail, from the company – Vital also acted as interpreter for the interview. They were in the middle of a busy rehearsal schedule at their theatre in Siberia.
We talked about the tour, and their visit to Cardiff, something the entire company are looking forward to. But of course, we had to start with the pandemic, and how such a long period of lockdown affected the company and the training the dancers were able to do.
This year, we will get to see some of their best shows, and if anything was to welcome ballet back into our theatres after such a long pandemic break, then this season’s collection of ‘greatest hits‘ is the way to do it.
SWAN LAKE
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 tutu 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
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 fairytale 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…
SNOW MAIDEN
Protected from the outside world by Father Frost, the exquisite Snow Maiden plays innocently amongst the dancing snowflakes in the enchanted Land of Frost. Based on a traditional folk-tale, set in the snow covered landscape of rural Russia, this seasonal sparkler follows the Snow Maiden as she dances into the human world. Captivated by the colourful village and the people who live there, she ventures too far and is swept up by feelings of love, temptation and betrayal. When finally she surrenders herself completely and warms to love, her heart melts in a tragic embrace.
ROMEO AND JULIET
Shakespeare’s tale of primal passion and timeless tragedy is brought to life by Prokofiev’s soaring score, set in bustling Renaissance Verona and with an emotionally charged choreography that befits the world’s greatest love story. From the grandeur of the masked ball to the intimacy of the lovers’ balcony, this star-crossed story of duels, bitter family feuds and love that cannot be, is unmissable.
CINDERELLA
The world’s favourite rags to riches fairy-tale where dreams can come true is a magical mix of Prokofiev’s energetic score, lively choreography and colourful costumes. Whilst her mad/bad stepmother and her ill-mannered daughters prepare for the Royal Ball, graceful Cinderella can only dream of dancing with the dashing Prince. Later that evening, her rags become a glittering gown and she is swept magically to the Ball. From that very moment the Prince is smitten, midnight strikes and one lost crystal slipper later, he must now embark on a journey to find his lost love….
This really is the perfect tour for the festive season, and that’s exactly when THE RUSSIAN STATE BALLET OF SYBERIA will be here in South Wales. They’ll be performing at St David’s Hall in Cardiff from the 18th December through to the 2nd January next year. The tour schedule looks like this…..
Cinderella
- Sunday 19th December – 2:00pm, 5:30pm
The Nutcracker
- Monday 20th through to Friday 24th December. This most famous of fantasy ballets for all the family begins as night falls on Christmas Eve.
Swan Lake
- Monday 27th through to Thursday 30th December
Romeo & Juliet
- Friday 31st December – 2:00pm
- Sunday 2nd January 2022 – 2:00pm, 5:30pm
To book tickets, which have a range of prices and concessions, just go HERE. And to find out more about the company, orchestra and production, go HERE
