Helen Brown sets the scene as Darlington welcomes the Russian State Ballet of Siberia lead by artistic director Sergei Babrov

THE Russian State Ballet of Siberia returns to the UK for a nationwide tour dropping in to Darlington Civic Theatre in January to perform Swan Lake, The Nutcracker and Coppélia.

Formed in 1981 and based in the city of Krasnoyarsk, in central Siberia, The Russian State Ballet of Siberia has now established itself as one of Russia’s primary ballet companies and has built an international reputation for delivering performances out outstanding quality and unusual depth. Since 2002, under the artistic directorship of Sergei Bobrov, leading dancers from across Russia have forged their skills and artistry performing an expanding repertoire of new productions.

Both the soloists and corps de ballet have delighted audiences with their physical ability as each storyline unfolds to the live accompaniment of the Russian State Ballet Orchestra of Siberia. The company comprises of 40 dancers with 30 musicians in the expert hands of Musical Director and Chief Conductor, Anatoly Tchepurnoi. The 2015 tour will be the company’s thirteenth visit to the UK.

Before joining the Russian State Ballet Bobrov was a principal dancer with the Bolshoi Ballet. “My favourite role at the Bolshoi was Rothbart (the evil genius) in Swan Lake,” he says. Bobrov remembers feeling that he was part of the great dance mechanism bound for success. “This state is always present with me when I’m working with the Siberian ballet,” he says.

Bobrov describes a typical day as artistic director of a prestigious Russian ballet company: “When the company are at their base in Krasnoyarsk, I work with the team from 10am until the end of the evening performance or rehearsal. There is a short period of rest time for the dancers, but I need to work at this time with art workshops, because each performance requires spectacular costumes and scenery. This will be our 13th year so we are strongly tuned in to the tastes of the British audience.”

During a tour Bobrov’s main task is to maintain the quality of each performance. “However, the tour is huge with many performances compared to Krasnoyarsk, so it's not easy,” he says.

Initial planning and choreography of an original piece of classic ballet takes a lot more than a year from conception. “From the moment the idea is conceived to the realisation of the performance takes approximately 18 months,” he says. “As an example, the conversation about The Snow Maiden, with our promoter Raymond Gubbay took place last year, and the premiere will be held in the UK in December next year,” he explains.

Asked about advice for the region's many budding ballerinas, Bobrov says: "I wish to advise any young ballerina to be totally focused on the profession, to work hard and try to meet and work with tutors. And most importantly, to dance to the best of your ability, looking for every opportunity to dance on the stage, but not thinking about the material benefits in the first part of your career."

First on the bill at Darlington, on January 29, is a famous toy story, perfect for first-time ballet audiences and a firm favourite for all followers of The Russian State Ballet. Set in a doll-maker’s workshop this charming comedy of errors is a light-hearted tale of antics and magic, which follows the mischievous Swanilda, her impetuous suitor Franz and the eccentric toymaker Dr Coppelius. Franz, falls in love with a doll, Coppélia, much to the exasperation of his sweetheart, Swanilda, but true love is never far away as the doll is brought to life with witty choreography and the animated score of Delibes.

Swan Lake follows on January 30 and is the greatest romantic ballet of all time, brought to life by Tchaikovsky’s haunting and unforgettable score. From the impressive splendour of the Palace ballroom to the moonlit lake, where swans glide in perfect formation, this compelling tale of tragic romance has it all. From Odile, the temptress in black tulle as she seduces the Prince by spinning with captivating precision to the spellbound purity of the swan queen, Odette as she flutters with emotional intensity, the dual role of Odette/Odile is one of ballet’s most technical challenges.

The Nutcracker is performed on January 31 and February 1 (including two matinees) with the final evening performance taking place on the Saturday. This is possible the most famous of the fantasy ballets, which starts as night falls on Christmas Eve. As snowflakes fall outside, the warm glow of the open fire sends flickering shadows across the boughs of the Christmas tree and all the presents beneath. 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 mouse-army battle with the Nutcracker Prince and we travel through the Land of Snow to an enchanted place where the magic really begins.

Darlington Civic Theatre Box Office: 01325-486555 or darlingtoncivic.co.uk. Thurs, Jan 29, Coppélia 7.30pm; Fri, Jan 30, Swan Lake 7.30pm; Sat, Jan 31 and Sun, Feb 1, The Nutcracker 2.30pm daily plus Sat 7.30pm