BalletBoyz, one of the most original and innovative forces in modern dance, return to the region, plus Matthew Bourne's Nutcracker, Swan Lake and Norfolk Dance. SIMON PARKIN previews dance events not to miss.

BALLETBOYZ

Snape Maltings, Aldeburgh, Suffolk, February 24-25, �22-�10, under-18s �2 off, 01728 687110, www.aldeburgh.co.uk

Led by former Royal Ballet lead dancers Michael Nunn and William Trevitt, BalletBoyz is one of the most original and innovative forces in modern dance. Their latest show The Talent, which premiered to rave reviews last year, features an explosive programme of exhilarating dance including Russell Maliphant's mesmerising Torsion, one of BalletBoyz' signature pieces that has been re-worked as a thrilling sextet, Paul Roberts haunting Alpha and the critically acclaimed Void, a adrenaline-fuelled ensemble piece by Czech choreographer Jarek Cemerek who won the honour of adding this piece to the BalletBoyz repertoire after beating over 160 choreographers from around the world.

www.balletboyz.com

MATTHEW BOURNE'S NUTCRACKER!

Norwich Theatre Royal, March 27-31, �36.50-�6.50, 01603 630000, www.theatreroyalnorwich.co.uk

One of the most popular dance productions ever staged in the UK, celebrating its 20th anniversary, returns to Norwich Theatre Royal.

Matthew Bourne's Nutcracker promises lashings of the acclaimed choreographer's wit, pathos and magical fantasy in a dance piece first created in 1992 to mark the centenary of The Nutcracker.

Forget traditional ballet, Bourne lets his imagination run riot with quirky set-pieces and a twist on a traditional dance production following the journey of Clara as she travels from a very bleak Christmas Eve at Dr Dross' Orphanage through an ice-skating winter wonderland to the fabulous candy kingdom of Sweetieland.

The piece also features unforgettable sets from Anthony Ward, exciting costumes and some sizzling choreography to create a fresh interpretation of the classic ballet.

www.matthewbournesnutcracker.com

SWAN LAKE/SLEEPING BEAUTY

Cambridge Corn Exchange, February 14/15, �32.50-�12, 01223 357851, www.cornex.co.uk/Ipswich Regent Theatre, February 23-25, �31.50-�17.50, 01473 433100, www.ipswichregent.com

Formed in 1981, The Russian State Ballet of Siberia has quickly established itself as one of Russia's leading ballet companies and has built an international reputation. The soloists and corps de ballet are superb making them always worth watching whenever in the region.

On this latest visit they tackle two of Tchaikovsky's ballet classics in Cambridge, including the greatest romantic ballet of all Swan Lake (Feb 14), plus every child's favourite fairy tale Sleeping Beauty (Feb 15).

Meanwhile in Ipswich they will again dance Swan lake (Feb 24) plus Giselle (Feb 23), one of the most poignant of all classical ballets a chilling and heart-rending tale of love, treachery and forgiveness from beyond the grave, and The Nutcracker (Feb 25) set in an enchanting world where nothing is as it seems in a version that's sure to be far more classical than Matthew Bourne's version.

www.raymondgubbay.co.uk

DON'T MISS

JASMIN VARDIMON

Jerwood Dance House, Ipswich, March 16-17, �14 (�7 cons), 01473 295230, www.danceeast.co.uk

A daring, sharp-edged piece of physical dance theatre, Justitia delves into the depths of the justice system, inviting the audience on a film-like investigative reply to unravel the multiple truths concealed behind a gripping crime story.

TURNSTYLE 9

Norwich Playhouse, March 29, �6 (�5 cons), 01603 598598, www.norwichplayhouse.co.uk

Norfolk Dance's always innovative dance platform is back providing another showcase of original work choreographed and performed by dancers of all ages from across the county. Tickets go on sale from February 27, be quick.