Moscow City Ballet stars descend on Lowestoft

TICKETS to see the long-awaited return to Lowestoft of one of the world's top ballet companies are in great demand.

The Moscow City Ballet and Orchestra returns to the Marina Theatre from February 20 and the visit is seen as a major honour for the 750-seat venue which also holds a prestigious residency with the Royal Philharmonic Orchestra.

Manager Martin Halliday said: 'The Moscow City Ballet is very special to us as it was securing their first visit back in 2003 which allowed us to reverse many years of declining audiences at the Marina which until that point rarely attracted events of such calibre as its programme concentrated mostly on tribute bands and adult comedians.'

The critical acclaim and rapturous applause that followed the ballet's first visit enabled Britain's most easterly theatre to attract a host of star names, international opera companies and speciality acts from all over the world in addition to its hugely popular residency with the Royal Philharmonic Orchestra.

Mr Halliday said: 'The huge success of hosting the Marina's first major ballet accompanied by a live orchestra showed both the industry and local audiences just what the venue could do if allowed to reach its full potential.

'We are delighted that after an absence of several years the Moscow City Ballet agreed to return with performances of both The Nutcracker and Swan Lake.

'To present such a prestigious company is a great boost to the cultural life of the area and their return to Lowestoft is made even more special in that a company of this calibre usually only appear in major cities.'

The Nutcracker is being performed at 7.30pm on Sunday, February 20, and Monday, February 21.

Swan Lake is on stage at 2.30pm and 7.30pm on Tuesday, February 22.