FOLLOWING their recent triumphant visit to The Alhambra Theatre with Carmen and Madame Butterfly, the Russian State Ballet and Opera House were delighted to return to Dunfermline last week with two wonderful ballets, writes Kerry Black.

On the Monday night, they performed The Nutcracker and on the Tuesday I had the great privilege of attending Sleeping Beauty.

These are two of the most famous classical ballets with soaring scores by Tchaikovsky. In fact Tchaikovsky, worked hand in hand with the original choreographer of Sleeping Beauty, Marius Petipa, to ensure that the music exactly matched the mood of each part of the piece.

Many people will be well acquainted with the music due the famous Walt Disney film.

This was an absolutely sumptuous ballet with gorgeous sets and the most dazzling array of costumes I have seen in years.

Each dancer's tutu was a different shade and sparkled with sequins as the dancers brought this amazing story to life.

This was a young, graceful and energetic cast, who brought great moments of romance along with lighter moments, for example when all the fairytale creatures appeared. The wonderful cat and wily wolf were particularly memorable!

Many young girls harbour dreams of being a ballerina and this production brought those childhood dreams to life for the very enthusiastic audience.

The costumes were incredible, indeed when the evil Carabosse appeared on stage, he was dragged on in a chariot surrounded by hideous goblins who looked like creatures from a Hollywood blockbuster.

He exploded across the stage in a swirling fabulous cloak which appeared to fill the entire stage!

This was the first ever visit of this particular ballet company to The Alhambra, in fact it was the opening night of their tour. Here's hoping they will grace the stage with a return visit in the future giving Fifers the opportunity to witness world class ballet in their own Kingdom.