The best in ballet

The majestic Mariinsky is treating Bangkok to a rare doublebill next month

Simply put, one shouldn't miss the Mariinsky Ballet's appearance here next month. This is an extraordinary company - the one people most want to see, the one that Russian President Putin sent to Thailand for His Majesty the King's 80th birthday in 2007.

The Mariinsky dancers have, like thoroughbreds with a fine lineage, a signature style that dates back 250 years, to when Tsarina Anna Ioannovna formed the first Russian ballet company in the cultured city of St Petersburg.

That's when their revered ballet mistress Agrippina Vaganova imprinted the stunningly impeccable technique and particularly elegant lyricism.

Last year I flew to Hong Kong to watch them and was dumbfounded. Britain's Sunday Times summarised the show much more articulately than I could have: They were "unmatchable in their perfection and poetry".

In Bangkok the Mariinsky will perform "Le Corsaire" and "Don Quixote" - two fulllength ballets with elaborate stage sets and a huge cast - I hear that 100 dancers will fly in.

There'll also be a Mariinsky Ballet Gala. Alexei Repnikov will conduct the Mariinsky Symphony Orchestra for all three shows.

"Le Corsaire" ("The Pirate") is a swashbuckling tale set during the days of the Ottoman Empire, with shipwrecks, buccaneers, beautiful slave girls and opulent palaces.

There is exquisite lyricism in the lead female role and virtuoso dancing from two, not just one, male leads, plus beautifully synchronised work by the large corps.

Conrad the Corsaire will be danced by Daniil Korsuntsev, Medora the slave girl by Ekaterina Kondaurova, and Ali by Vladimir Shklyarov on September 20. The next evening Konstantin Zverev, Alina Somova and Filipp Stepin will fill those roles, respectively.

The Mariinsky Ballet Gala on September 22 will be a chance to see the current generation of principal dancers show, closeup, their celebrated signature style.

The first part of the evening will be a selection of pas de quatre and favourite pas de deux. The second part will be the rarely seen "Firebird", with the naturally flamehaired Ekaterina Kondaurova in the lead.

"Don Quixote" is a tale of oldworld Spain with lots of romance, chivalry and gypsy spirit that will allow the dancers to let loose and be joyous in their dancing and character portrayals.

Kitri will be danced by Yevgenia Obraztsova and Basil by Vladimir Shklyarov on September 24, and by Alina Somova and Yevgeny Ivanchenko the next night.

I tip my hat to the organisers of Bangkok's 13th International Festival of Dance and Music for being able to bring the Mariinksy here and to get them to perform this major programme. Last year in Hong Kong they performed only one ballet, and that will be the case in Singapore this year as well.

So don't miss this fabulous jewel in the crown that is the Mariinsky, and try to watch all three shows. You only have to travel as far as the Thailand Cultural Centre, after all. Dates all set

- "Le Corsaire" is on September 20 and 21 at 7.30, the Mariinsky Ballet Gala is on September 22 at 7.30 and "Don Quixote" is on September 24 at 7.30 and September 25 at 2.30, all at the Thailand Cultural Centre.

- Tickets cost Bt1,000 to Bt4,500. Call (02) 262 3191 or visit www.ThaiTicketMajor.com.

- Bangkok's 13th International Festival of Dance and Music is sponsored by Bangkok Bank, Beiersdorf, B Grimm, Canadoil Group, Dusit Thani Bangkok, Nation Group, SCG, Thai Airways International, Tourism Authority of Thailand and Toyota Motor Thailand.