If there's one sure fire way to beat the winter blues, it's the chance to see the sumptuous costumes and lavish sets (not to mention the wonderful dancing) of the St Petersburg Ballet Theatre.

Norwich has become a regular venue for the group and last night they staged a gala performance, highlights of various ballets, including Swan Lake and Sleeping Beauty.

Every leading lady on the stage gave an outstanding performance, including Anna Podlesnaya as Odette from Swan Lake and Asia Lukmanova in the pas de deux from Don Quixote.

But, as ever, prima ballerina Irina Kolesnikova was the highlight of the evening, with a breathtaking performance as Odile in Swan Lake. Her pirouettes drew cries of “brava” from the crowd, but every move she makes on stage seems almost effortless, such is her grace.