His partnership with Caroline Scott, seen in Swan Lake here in a previous year, ended with her injury but he is forming a new one with Melanie Cox and they will be seen in this production at this venue. Supporting will be Gledis Tase with Lucy Lowndes in the Waltz of the Flowers and the Snow Scene. Tase (say is as in "Chase") has been with VFB is their recent visits to Worthing, including their vibrant Rhapsody In Blue and the subsequent salsa rave that finally brought the house down.

New costumes for the Nutcracker production in Act 2 have originated in Moldavia and been made to order in that ex-Soviet state. They are for the Sugar Plum Fairy, the Waltz of the Flower and the Merlitons in the divertissement. Wardrobe mistress Esperanza has made head-dresses to match and the dancers on this tour are reportedly feeling a million dollars in them.

Austrian company founder and artistic director Peter Mallek has handpicked the young, international dancers to maintain the characteristic VFB vivacity, energy and freshness. The company are 28 years old and perform the great classical ballets the world over.

See this site for profiles on the four principals.