STAGE REVIEW: The Nutcracker at the Festival Theatre, Malvern on Sunday, February 12, 2017.

THIS much loved ballet is one of four being performed this week by the Russian State Ballet of Siberia.

Normally associated with Christmas it was just as welcome on a chilly night in February and certainly warmed up the wintry air.

The RSB are fairly regular and popular visitors to Worcestershire and they didn't let a full house down with vibrant movements and costumes.

The tale centres around the Stahlbaum's daughter, Marie, beautifully danced by Elena Pogorelaya.

She is given, as keen ballet followers will know, a toy nutcracker as a gift from the rather eccentric inventor, Herr Drosselmeyer.

When she falls asleep under a Christmas tree the nutcracker is transormed into a handsome Prince, stylishly performed on Sunday by Daniil Kostylev. He duly falls in love with Marie and they embark on a considerably colourful magical journey to fairyland and beyond.

Musical director and chief conductor, Anatoly Tchepurnoi, was in outstanding form, being both engaging and entertaining, and the choreography of Sergei Bobrov and Vasily Vainonen was imaginative as well as faultless.

Overall a well polished and professional performance of The Nutcracker, complete with costumes that were beautiful and colourful. The end result was clearly appreciated by an enthusiastic Malvern audience.

The other ballets being performed this week are Coppelia (Mon), La Fille Mal Gardee (Tue) and it's all crowned off on Thursday with Swan Lake.

VRW