Imperial Russian Ballet Company on sell-out Africa tour

There's no sign of the recession affecting this particular piece of theatre. All 20 shows have sold out with ticket prices ranging from R135 to R225.

The company has entertained audiences in Gaborone (Botswana), Johannesburg, Sasolburg, Potchefstroom and Durban with performances this week in East London and Port Elizabeth. The tour, which is presented by Edouard Miasnikov, culminates with seven shows in Cape Town from July 15-19.

Founded in 1994 on the initiative of the legendary Russian ballerina, Maija Plisetzkaya, the Imperial Russian Ballet Company has a global reputation for its outstanding dancers, creativity and dance style innovation. Artistic director and Bolshoi Ballet soloist Gediminas Taranda has worked closely with Plisetzkaya and pursued her modern style of dancing.

The company has a number of outstanding full-length and mixed ballet performances in its repertoire. It has flourished from a small group of stars into a magnificent touring company that is attracting soloists from European and American ballet companies.