THERE'S a double bill of festive family ballet to look forward to.

Swan Lake and The Nutcracker will be performed at Weymouth Pavilion on October 18 and 19 by the Russian State Ballet and Opera House

The ballets feature an impressive cast and are accompanied by a large live orchestra with more than 30 musicians.

They are directed and choreographed by former Bolshoi Ballet Soloist, Konstantin Uralsky and The Russian State Ballet and Opera House.

Swan Lake is a tale of two young women, Odette and Odile, who resemble each other so closely one can easily be mistaken for the other.

It is a compelling legend of a tragic romance in which a princess, Odette, is turned into a swan by an evil curse. Prince Siegfried chances upon a flock of swans while out hunting. When one of the swans turns into a beautiful young woman he is instantly captivated – will his love prove strong enough to break the evil spell that she is under?

Swan Lake captures, like no other, the full range of human emotions – from hope to despair, from terror to tenderness, from melancholy to ecstasy.

Christmas wouldn’t be Christmas without a trip to your local theatre for a dazzling production of the most famous ballet in the world – The Nutcracker.

Based on The Nutcracker and the Mouse King written by E.T.A. Hoffmann, it tells the story of Marie, a rather sad little girl, whose godfather Drosselmeyer gives her a nutcracker doll as a present on Christmas Eve, which turns into a prince.

When midnight strikes, the world turns all magical in the wintry glitter of Christmas Eve. Toys come alive, 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 flurries, sweets, princes, magic, love, victories and defeats, and Tchaikovsky’s rousing score, are just some of the ingredients that will be brought together by the renowned Russian State Ballet.

The Russian State Ballet and Opera House bring the passion and vibrancy of Russian character to this well-known ballet.

*Swan Lake is on Wednesday October 18 and The Nutcracker is on Thursday October 19. Call Weymouth Pavilion box office for tickets.

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