ONE of the world's top ballet companies is to return to Lowestoft's Marina Theatre early next year, the Journal can exclusively reveal today.February 20 will see the long- awaited return of the Moscow City Ballet and Orchestra.

ONE of the world's top ballet companies is to return to Lowestoft's Marina Theatre early next year, the Journal can exclusively reveal today.

February 20 will see the long- awaited return of the Moscow City Ballet and Orchestra. The visit from one of the world's top ballet companies is a major honour for the 750 seat venue, which only last week announced an extension to its prestigious residency with the Royal Philharmonic Orchestra.

In early 2003, the Marina first secured a visit from the Moscow City Ballet. The critical acclaim and rapturous applause that followed 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 prestigious residency with the Royal Philharmonic Orchestra.

However, it was the Moscow City Ballet that was first to win the hearts of the people of Lowestoft, with thousands enjoying the elite corps de ballet, stunning soloists, beautiful sets and costumes all accompanied by a full live orchestra.

On February 20 and 21, Moscow City Ballet will present performances of The Nutcracker and, on February 22, Swan Lake.

Moscow City Ballet was formed in 1988 by the distinguished Russian choreographer Victor Smirnov-Golovanov.

A highly acclaimed ex-soloist of the Bolshoi Ballet, Smirnov-Golovanov enjoys bringing his heritage of classical ballet in the Moscow style to audiences, including young ballet-goers, all over the world.

The Company has some of the most accomplished and artistic soloists, and a sublime corps de ballet, all trained in the in the best traditions of the Russian school. The costumes and sets are beautiful, colourful, and a feast for the eye when the curtain goes up.

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

Tchaikovsky's rousing score, sumptuous sets and glorious costumes make for an unforgettable production of The Nutcracker. Favourite characters such as the Mouse King, Nutcracker Prince and the doll bring to life Drosselmyer's strange and magical world. The set pieces in the World of Flowers allow all the soloists to show off their unsurpassable talents, making this a pure visual feast for every audience.

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

Set to Tchaikovsky's sublime score, coupled with the romance and tragedy of the story, Swan Lake presents the perfect backdrop for the artistry, grace and precision for which this great company is justly renowned.

The original choreography of Petipa, Ivanov, Vaganova, Grigorovich and Ryzhenko, takes the breathtaking power of the dancers to its furthermost limits.

Both productions are produced by the company's artistic director, Victor Smirnov-Golovanov and will be accompanied by the Moscow City Ballet Orchestra.

Marina manager Martin Halliday said: 'I am delighted to confirm that, after an absence of several years, the Moscow City Ballet have agreed to return to the Marina stage early next year and present performances of both The Nutcracker and Swan Lake.

'The return of such a prestigious company is a wonderful addition to our winter season and their return to Lowestoft is made even more special in that a company of this calibre usually only appears in major cities.'

Full details of the Moscow City Ballet's return to the east coast will be revealed in the Marina's forthcoming new season brochure available from mid September.