SWANSEA'S Ballet Russe will be performing the enchanting Coppelia at The Roses theatre in Tewkesbury on Thursday, October 25, as part of a national tour.

The fantastic tale of Dr Coppelius and his wish to bring his beautiful doll, Coppelia, to life is interwoven with the love affair of Swanhilda and Franz, and follows the confusion created when Franz falls in love with the doll, believing her to be a real woman.

With beautiful scenery and colourful costumes, Coppelia is a delightful production to charm audiences of all ages.

The Ballet Russe was founded by Russian dancer Mikhail Vorona during a visit to Britain in 1997. The break-up of the former Soviet Union had caused severe problems for the country's artists, as the state companies which had provided their incomes no longer existed.

Soon the company had attracted some of the most dedicated Russian ballet dancers, including former lead dancers with the Bolshoi and Kirov companies.

In September, 1999, the company took up residence at the Grand Theatre, Swansea, which is now the only UK theatre to have its own ballet company trained in the Russian tradition.

There are already signs that the Ballet Russe is playing a major part in the resurgence of interest in classical ballet, not only in Wales, but across the UK.