It was thrilling to be able to see the rarely performed La Bayadère performed by the St Petersburg Ballet in Eastbourne's Congress Theatre on 14 December. You can see why this ballet, with music by Ludwig Minkus and choreography based on Marius Petipa, is sometimes called Giselle, East of Suez; since both ballets are deeply imbued with romance and tragedy. The main character, La Bayadère, which roughly translates as "a dancing girl serving in a Hindu temple", here danced exquisitely by the company's Prima Ballerina Irina Kolesnikova, is in love with the local hero, Solor. The Rajah rewards Solor for his heroism with the gift of marriage to his daughter Gamzatti. Nikiya, the Bayadère, is not happy with this situation and having danced her heart out at their betrothal then kills herself. Solor eventually feels so guilty he kills himself too. The story has no happy ending but the ballet was wonderful.


The St Petersburg Ballet Theatre is celebrating its 10th Anniversary this Season and they can be justifiably proud. To celebrate they have brought a gorgeous book of photographs simply called Irina Kolesnikova, which is available at theatres as well as Waterstones and other leading bookshops.


In Bayadère Irina Kolesnikova was superb, like Blackpool Rock, the rings that run through her body all read Prima Ballerina. When she danced for the engaged couple a lump came into my throat at the passion of her dance and the expressiveness of her distress. This young dancer can project emotion while never missing a step. She is to ballet what poetry is to language: it's the means by which we feel it.


The sets were beautifully evocative of somewhere Indian, simple, colourful and effective. The silk and satin costumes were afire with sequins and glitter which sent flashing sparks deep into the theatre drawing the audience into the action.


The Corps were fine too with the kind of synchronisation at which the Russians particularly excel. In fact all the dancers were first class and I loved it all. So….


On Saturday 18 December I went back for more and watched Tchaikovsky's Nutcracker. Again Irina Kolesnikova took the role of Clara and effortlessly made her come to life as a fully formed character before our very eyes. This is a dancer with soul and a deep passion to be the best ballerina in the world.


Dmitry Akulinin's Nutcracker Prince was handsome, assured and an excellent partner for Kolesnikova in every way. Of the dancers in the Land of Sweets the Eastern Dancer, Svetlana Markova, had me spellbound with her fluidity, agility and grace.


This fine young company are still touring the UK with Tchaikovsky's Swan Lake and The Sleeping Beauty in the repertory. Go and see them, give yourself a real treat. Denby Richards is positively purring after their Swan Lake. I still have them all dancing in my memories. Lovely!