Begin the New Year with a ballet (From Wimbledon Guardian)

Begin the New Year with a ballet

11:43am Wednesday 24th December 2008

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Ballet fans are in for a treat at the start of 2009 when a leading British company comes to town for a number of performances.

Swansea Ballet Russe will be at Fairfield Halls for over a week performing classics Coppelia and Giselle as well as a Gala night showcasing extracts from some of their other ballets.

As an added extra to its performances, Ballet Russe is offering a behind the scenes peek to fans by opening their doors for the pre-performance class. Chika said: “We will do a warm up for maybe 20 to 30 minutes which include things like bar work and small jumps which we normally do before our rehearsals. “We will then do a rehearsal, it won’t be in costume, just leotards but it will be a good opportunity for people to watch.” Fairfield Halls, Behind the scenes, Jan 6, 1.05pm, £5.

Ballet Russe's behind the scenes performance

Chika Temma has been with the company since it decided to move base from Eastern Europe to the UK ten years ago and is now one of their principle dancers.

“We are very excited and hopefully people will come and see us,” said the Japanase-born dancer.

“Giselle is very classical and romantic and it’s a nice ballet but Coppelia is completely the opposite.

“It’s colourful and comical and has a lot of story behind it.

“They are both very different and in the Gala we will show excerpts from our repertoire, something like Cinderella for example. It’s not the same as either Giselle or Coppelia.”

The audience could be in for a treat as well as two dancers from the English National Ballet are set to make guest appearances.

“My friend, Elena Glurdjidze, and her dance partner Arional Vargas, are with the English National Ballet and I have been in contact with them every week to check,” said Chika.

“They will be performing in London as well but would like to perform Giselle once or twice with us.

“We are very excited and Elena and myself went to the same school back in Russia and I have known her for many years. I’m a big fan of hers and hopefully she can dance with us.”

The company is formed of 18 dancers, including Japanese, Italians and English, all of which have been trained in the Russian classical style at either the Kirov or Bolshoi Ballet Academies.

Coppelia tells the tale of toymaker Dr Coppelius and his wish to bring his beautiful doll Coppelia to life, while Giselle is one of the most romantic ballets telling the story of a peasant girl who dies from a broken heart on the day of her engagement.

Fairfield Halls, Park Lane, Coppelia, Jan 2, 5, 7, 9, 7.30pm, Weds 2.30pm, Giselle, Jan 3, 6, 8, 10, 7.30pm, Sat 2.30pm, Ballet Gala, Jan 4, 7pm, £18.50 and £16.50, children £15.50, £13.50. Call 020 8688 9291 or visit fairfield.co.uk

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