This ballet enchants you from its very first minute. The harmony of the melodic and ear-catching music by Karen Khachaturian, bright sets and costumes by Valery Leventhal and vivid choreography by Genrikh Mayorov, perfect both for children and for grown-ups, made it a real blockbuster. In London, an extra element is added: a narrator delivers the storyline and introduces the characters.

The fairy-tale story by Italian author Gianni Rodari tells of the adventures of the Little Onion boy (in Italian, Cipollino), who fights the unjust treatment of his fellow vegetable folk (his little girlfriend Radish, old Mr Pumpkin, handyman Master Grape) by the fruit "aristocracy" (foppish Prince Lemon, martinet Signor Tomato and the Count Cherry). Although the ballet was created especially for young people, it never lacks the "serious" choreography of classical ballet.

The principals of the Mikhailovsky Ballet really enjoy themselves turning from Siegfrieds and Odettes into 'vegetables' and 'fruits'. The rhythms of dance, the portrayal and humour of the characters and the exceptional performances keeps everyone enthralled.

Please note: there are no surtitles in this production

Ballet for all the family in two acts

Dates
17 - 24 July 2010