FABULOUS dancers from Ballet Central make a welcome return to West Dorset this week.

This year’s tour offers an unrivalled opportunity to see new works by renowned choreographers as well as much-loved dance pieces performed live in local theatres.

Ballet Central offers the chance to sample the dynamism, skill and variety of dance today by some of the best new dance talent. Ballet Central is the touring company of the Central School of Ballet (CSB). Students on the final year of their three year BA (Hons) degree course join Ballet Central to gain invaluable touring experience before graduation. Ballet Central’s dancers not only perform but also help with all aspects of staging, from technical lighting to wardrobe. William Glassman, Ballet Central’s artistic director, explains the varied programme on offer this year: “There is something for all dance enthusiasts from classical ballet, including the Pas De Trois from Swan Lake Act 1, to vibrant contemporary works, jazz and Spanish dances as well as a narrative ballet. “And there’s the excitement of seeing new works performed for the first time.”

He added: “We’re delighted to be performing a new ballet that echoes the ideals and themes of the Olympics called Circle of Five created for Ballet Central by Mikaela Polley, the rehearsal director for the Rambert Dance Company.”

Circle of Five is a fusion of classical ballet and contemporary dance that expertly demonstrates the pure physicality of Ballet Central dancers. The piece has been granted the Inspire Mark by the London 2012 Inspire Programme. The classical and neo-classical works in the programme include Pas de Trois from Le Corsair, Christopher Gable’s Celebration, and David Fielding’s Six Chamber Dances. New contemporary works include Code by Sharon Watson who is artistic director of Phoenix Dance Theatre and And Then Their Hopes Soared… created by CSB’s director Sara Matthews.

For jazz and Spanish dance fans there’s a chance to see Phil Aidan’s Tangoesgue and Sherrill Wexler’s Encuentros and to round off the programme there’s a revival of Matthew Hart’s 2009 narrative ballet Whodunnit?

Catch these talented young dancers at Bridport Arts centre on June 15 and 16 at 7.30pm. Tickets are £12 plus concessions from 01308 424204.