JEREMY SMITH talks ballet with artistic director of The Nutcracker Sergei Bobrov.

THE Russian State Ballet of Siberia returns to Oxford after an acclaimed tour in 2009, bringing to life four of the world’s most beautiful and popular ballets.

Formed in 1981, The RSBS has established itself as one of Russia’s leading ballet companies and has built an international reputation for delivering performances of unusual depth.

And in its production of The Nutcracker, which starts tomorrow at the New Theatre, in Oxford, we are transported away to an enchanted world where toy dolls come to life as an army of soldiers does battle with a gang of mice and a Nutcracker is transformed into a handsome prince.

The ballet’s artistic director, Sergei Bobrov, is particularly looking forward to visiting the UK again.

He said: “It’s a wonderful country and a wonderful place for touring.”

A former Bolshoi Ballet principal dancer and choreographer, he admits despite his success as a dancer, he prefers his role behind the scenes.

“Time cannot be turned back,” he laughs. “So I always look forward. As such, I don’t miss my former job; I’m only curious about what is happening here and now.”

However, we can look back momentarily at a career that suggests his current production of The Nutcracker will be something to remember.

Having joined the Bolshoi as a soloist in 1981, Sergei then went on to stage Carmen and Swan Lake in 2002, Sleeping Beauty in 2003, Romeo and Juliet in 2005, Cinderella in 2007 and Coppelia in 2008 (as well as producing operas Madam Butterfly and La Boheme by Puccini in 2007 and The Queen of Spades by Tchaikovsky in 2009).

But Sergei admits that despite the success of these productions, attempting to get younger people to see ballet is still something of a problem. Especially when it may involve a choice between catching Avatar, the latest movie blockbuster, or a ballet involving fairytales.

“We don’t push people to come along,” he says. “But teenagers will eventually, when they get older, realise what the difference is between Avatar and The Nutcracker. All we try to do is give them a chance to choose.”

Of course, describing to a teenager just what ‘ballet’ is may be part of the problem.

“Ballet,” says Sergei “is a state of soul which you transfer to other people by means of your body, music, light and costumes. It is like reading, when you see only letters but experience different feelings.” (Avatar, on the other hand, is in gobsmacking 3-D, involves new worlds, and some frankly heavy artillery...).

Still, Sergei remains optimistic.

“The balance between the old and the new is the most important to keep in mind when staging a ballet, and yes it is hard to get it right, but when we do we are very happy. And we are very happy to be bringing the best we have to Oxford.”

The Nutcracker, performed by the Russian State Ballet and Orchestra of Siberia, is at the New Theatre, Oxford, until Saturday. Performances are at 7.30pm with a matinee on Saturday at 2.30pm. Call 0844 847 1588 for details.