PREVIEW: Varna International Ballet to perform Romeo and Juliet, Swan Lake and The Nutcracker in Nottingham

They will take the spotlight for four shows over three days at Nottingham Royal Concert Hall from Thursday to Saturday, January 30 to February 1, 2025 – for tickets and more CLICK HERE.

Romeo and Juliet, Shakespeare’s tale of primal passion and timeless tragedy, will be performed on the first night, Thursday, January 30, at 7.30pm.

Swan Lake, regarded as the greatest romantic ballet of all time, will be performed on the second night, Friday, January 31, 7.30pm.

The Nutcracker, the most famous of fantasy ballets for all the family, which begins as night falls on Christmas Eve, will be performed twice, with a matinee and evening show, to close the run on Saturday, February 1, at 2.30pm and then 7.30pm.

Varna International Ballet are returning to the UK following a hugely successful 2022 debut tour which celebrated the company’s 75th anniversary.

Shakespeare’s tale of primal passion and timeless tragedy Romeo and Juliet is set to Prokofiev’s soaring score, with emotionally-charged choreography by Sergey Bobrov and Bakhytzhan Smagulov that befits the world’s greatest love story.

From the grandeur of the masked ball to the intimacy of the lovers’ balcony, this story of duels, bitter family feuds and love that cannot be is unmissable.

Often considered the greatest romantic ballet of all time, Swan Lake is brought to life by Tchaikovsky’s haunting and unforgettable score, with choreography by Marius Petipa, Lev Ivanov, Sergey Bobrov and Natalia Matus-Marchuk.

From the impressive splendour of the Palace ballroom to the moon-lit lake where swans glide in perfect formation, this compelling tale of tragic romance has it all.

The Nutcracker begins as night falls on Christmas Eve. When midnight strikes, we are swept away to a fairy-tale world where nothing is quite as it seems: toy dolls spring to life, the Mouse King and his army battle with the Nutcracker Prince and we travel through the Land of Snow to an enchanted place where the magic really begins. The spellbinding ballet features Tchaikovsky’s timeless score, and stunning choreography by Vasily Vainonen, revised by Sergey Bobrov.

Founded in 1947 and renowned for its award-winning soloists and magnificent corps de ballet, Varna International Ballet has been delighting audiences for decades at home in Bulgaria and abroad with performances of the highest quality.

Led by Artistic Director Daniela Dimova, with Music Director and Chief Conductor Peter Tuleshkov, Varna International Ballet presents much-loved classics to charm audiences who are new to ballet and balletomanes alike.

Daniela said: “We are thrilled to be bringing our highly talented company of dancers and musicians back to the UK. We can’t wait to perform for British audiences again and to bring these magical ballets to life on stage.”

The tour begins in Manchester on January 2, 2025, and visits Buxton, Bristol, Liverpool, Blackpool, Edinburgh, Basingstoke, Ipswich, Southend, Brighton, Nottingham, Reading, Oxford, Darlington, Wimbledon, Norwich, Hull, Sheffield, Leicester and Northampton, where it finishes on March 5.

Promoters are Raymond Gubbay Limited, founded in 1966 and recognised as being at the forefront of promoting and producing popular shows, illuminated trails, classical concerts, dance and special events.