A spectacular spin on Cinderella

One of the finest Russian companies, The Royal Moscow Ballet, returns to Ireland this week, bringing its dazzling production of the well-loved classic, Cinderella, to Drogheda, Limerick, Dublin and Cork.

With lavish sets and spectacular costumes, it will be a must-see for balletomanes everywhere. Their last visit here was a sell-out triumph, and tickets are likely to be much in demand as they make their almost royal procession around the country.

Founded by Anatoly Emelianov and Anna Aleksidze 11 years ago, the Royal Moscow has always mixed the traditional with the new, creating many modern ballets as well as paying full tribute to the old school repertoire. Each year it gives at least 50 performances across Europe. It has also broken new boundaries, not least by touring East Africa and performing Don Quixote on specially-built stages by the dramatic Victoria Falls. On that occasion, it is said, once the performance was over, the dancers lost no time in cooling off by plunging into the legendary falls.