TWO much-loved ballets come to the Cliffs Pavilion next week when Swan Lake and the Nutcracker arrive in the hands of the Russian State Ballet of Siberia.

The company is known for its exquisite, traditional renditions of classic pieces and artistic director Sergei Brobov has sensitively woven in his own work with some of the most-respected pieces of choreography in ballet. Sergei, who is one of the most exciting young Russian choreographers around today, has a strong personal insight into the work as a former principal dancer of the world famous Bolshoi Ballet.

His roles included Von Rothbart in Swan Lake, Compere in the Golden Age, Prince Lemon in Cipollino, Wolf in Sleeping Beauty and Salieri in Mozart and Salieri.

He has also been the artistic director of the Krasnoyarsk State Opera and Ballet Theatre since 2002. “It’s very important I danced all my life,” he admits. “I danced in the best ballet theatre in Russia. It’s the principal theatre in our country, so I also saw many, many famous dancers and many famous productions and I try to achieve the same standards and the same quality. I can tell you the shows we’re bringing are really nice and we’ve worked very hard on them to bring over the best we can.”

For Sergei the music is just as important as the shows themselves and he strives to make sure his choreography and dancers live up to the much-loved music.

“The Nutcracker and Swan Lake are by Tchaichovsky, one of the all-time great composers,” he says. “I think his music will live forever and everybody who lives now – and in the future – should know his music. It’s a great pleasure for me to put choreography to this music and to create ballets. Also because this music is of the best quality, I try to make my production also of the best quality. I try to combine the music with the vision on stage.”

Swan Lake and the Nutcracker come to the Cliffs Pavilion on Monday and Tuesday, January 21 and 22, respectively. Both evening performances start at 7.30pm. The Nutcracker has a matinee performance at 2.30pm. tickets are £16.50-£35. Call 01702 351135.