Classics of ballet

VARNA International Ballet and Orchestra is returning to the Hexagon in Reading next month.

On Sunday, February 2, at 2pm and 5.30pm, the group will perform The Nutcracker, then on Monday, February 3 at 7.30pm, they will perform Swan Lake.

The story of The Nutcracker takes place on Christmas Eve. As the clock strikes midnight, dolls come to life, the Mouse King and his soldiers battle against the Nutcracker Prince and there is a journey through the Land of Snow.

Featuring a score by Tchaikovsky, the piece has been choreographed by Vasily Vainonen and revised by Sergey Bobrov.

Swan Lake is a romantic ballet based on another of Tchaikovsky’s scores, choreographed by Marius Petipa, Lev Ivanov, Sergey Bobrov and Natalia Matus-Marchuk. The tragic tale, where the scene goes from a palace ballroom to a moonlit lake, follows Odette, a princess who has been turned into a swan by a sorcerer’s curse.

Founded in 1947, the Bulgarian company is led by artistic director, Daniela Dimova, with music director and chief conductor, Peter Tuleshkov.

Tickets cost £37, £42 or £44.50 from 0118 960 6060 or from whatsonreading.com