NEITHER the Beast from the East, nor red flag alerts and cancellations of public transport did not stop the audience from gathering at Manchester Palace Theatre, on Friday evening, 2 March 2018. Wondering what was the reason? World renowned dance company, Moscow City Ballet, was presenting a truly magical production of Tchaikovsky’s ballet Sleeping Beauty, and yes... no seats were left empty!

If you asked me to describe the performance just in 2 words, these words would be – mastery and visuals. The Moscow City Ballet dancers are so skilled and technical that sometimes I was questioning myself  how the hell they can do that? Honestly, the movement of each and every dancer cannot be faulted. Liliya Orekhova (Princess Aurora) and Talgat Kozhabaev (Prince Florimund), without a doubt, were shining diamonds of the show. She was so fragile and light footed, and he was so masculine and strong. It's no wonder that almost all female audience was enchanted by this dark eyed Alpha male. And of course I simply cannot forget to mention Kirill Kasatkin (Fairy Carabosse), who made this enchanting dancing production so thrilling and witty at the same time. But my personal praise goes to Larisa Robles Zalevskaya who was portraying the Cat. Her role was episodic, but it will definitely stay in my memory for a long time ahead.

The visual part of the performance was simply AMAZING! Costumes, set designs, lighting — everything was so exquisite that for 2 and a ½ hours you simply forget that you live in 21st Century. My only criticism was the plastic, strained smiles of the dancers. Is that the Soviet heritage creeping in? Maybe... I remember we were always taught to smile and "work on public." But, I think, as a spectator I would rather prefer watching the interaction between dancers.

Last but not least I should mention the Hungarian Alba Regia Orchestra, which played beautifully and brought Tchaikovsky’s wonderful score to life.

So, what can I say? If you like the traditional, classical ballet, go and see this enchanting performance, and I bet you won’t regret!

For the tour dates, visit:- MoscowCityBallet.Com.

4 out of 5 Stars

THE brand new musical stage show:- 'Dusty and the Shades of the 60's' celebrates the life and music of the great Dusty Springfield and her contemporary peers. Starring singer and actress Emily Clark with the singing trio:- 'The Shades,' this pop filled show, which tours the UK, in 2018, is dedicated to the invention of pop music, the songs and the stars of the 60's.

Dusty Springfield's string of smash hits began on 1 January 1964, when she performed:- 'I Only Want to be with You' on the BBC's new TV programme:- 'Top of the Pops.' It was closely followed by:- 'You Don't Have To Say You Love Me,' 'Son of a Preacher Man,' 'I Just Don't Know What To Do With Myself' and 'You Don't Own Me.' All these songs and more will be performed in the show when Dusty and the Shades will take audiences on a music filled journey featuring the songs, artists and songwriters who worked with Dusty over a stellar 35 year career.

The cast will perform a roster of Dusty hits written by Burt Bacharach, Carole King and others including:- 'Say A Little Prayer,' 'Downtown,' 'Natural Woman' and 'Ain't No Mountain High Enough' which was a huge hit for Marvin Gaye and Tammi Terrell in 1967. Dusty was a powerhouse singer and a style beacon; her blonde beehive up do and black eyeliner inspired millions of teenage girls, while her soulful voice and clever choice of material gained her legions of followers here and in the US.

'Dusty and the Shades of the 60's' is produced by Red Entertainment, the fast rising company who produced 1 of 2017's most successful tours:- 'Cilla and the Shades of the 60's'.

Says Red Entertainment Executive Producer Matt Brinkler:- "I'm a huge fan of Dusty Springfield and have created this show around her own catalogue of smash hits and those by many of the great singers and songwriters of the day. At Red Entertainment we're extremely proud of the 'Shades' brand which we launched with 'Cilla and the Shades of the 60's in 2017. 'Cilla' went down a treat with audiences all over the UK and I'm confident 'Dusty' will be just as popular. I think 'Dusty and the Shades of the 60's will lead audiences to re-discover Dusty and the music of her fellow artists; there will be people who remember the hits from the 1st time around and those who will know many of the songs from the radio or movie soundtracks. 'Dusty' is perfect entertainment for pop music fans and families; it's a truly fun, easy, entertaining night out."

Says Emily Clark:- "Ever since I could speak I've wanted to sing professionally and, being a huge fan of the music of the 60s, this is a wonderful opportunity for me to pay homage to one of the greatest singers of that time as well as the writers of some legendary songs. Dusty was an amazing woman, personally and professionally and I hope the Shades and I will be doing her proud!"

Dusty Springfield, her brother Tom and their friend Tim Field performed as:- 'The Springfields' in the late 1950's when Dusty was still in her teens. The trio quickly became Britain's top pop act, so when Dusty decided to leave the group to go solo, she already had a following. From 1964 to the late 1970's Dusty enjoyed chart toppers in the UK and US and won numerous Top Female Vocalist awards. In the 1980's she had another run of success via her work with the Pet Shop Boys with the smash hit single:- 'What Have I Done To Deserve This?' and 'Nothing Has Been Proved' for the film:- 'Scandal.' Dusty's final live performance was on Michael Ball's Christmas show in 1995.

The 'Dusty and the Shades of the 60's' 2018 UK tour dates, venues and booking information, still to run, are as follows:-

► 15 March 2018, at the West Midlands, Brierley Hill Civic Hall, tickets can be got via:- BHillCivic.Co.UK.

► 17 March 2018, at the Lancs, Oswaldtwistle Civic Theatre, tickets can be got via:- CivicArtsCentre.Co.UK.

► 18 March 2018, at the Derbyshire, Chesterfield Pomegranate Theatre, tickets can be got via:- ChesterFieldTheatres.Co.UK.

► 21 March 2018, at the Sussex, Haywards Heath Clair Hall, tickets can be got via:- Clair Hall.

► 27 March 2018, at the Stoke On Trent Victoria Hall, tickets can be got via:- Victoria Hall.

► 28 March 2018, at the Merseyside, Southport Theatre, tickets can be got via:- Southport Theatre.

► 19 April 2018, at the Cumbria, Whitehaven Civic Hall, tickets can be got via:- Civic Hall.

► 20 April 2018, at the Cheshire, Wirral, Port Sunlight Gladstone Theatre, tickets can be got via:- GladstoneTheatre.Org.UK.

► 16 May 2018, at the Liverpool Epstein Theatre, tickets can be got via:- EpsteinLiverpool.Co.UK.

► 18 May 2018, at the East Riding of Yorkshire, Bridlington Spa, tickets can be got via:- BridSpa.Com.

► 19 May 2018, at the Lincolnshire Grimsby Auditorium, tickets can be got via:- GrimsbyAuditorium.Org.UK.

► 20 May 2018, at the Tyne and Wear, Whitley Bay Playhouse, tickets can be got via:- PlayhouseWhitleyBay.Co.UK.

► 23 May 2018, at the West Sussex, East Grinstead Chequer Mead, tickets can be got via:- ChequerMead.Org.UK.

► 24 May 2018, at the Essex, Basildon Towngate Theatre, tickets can be got via:- Towngate Theatre.

► 26 May 2018, at the Suffolk, Lowestoft Marina Theatre, tickets can be got via:- MarinaTheatre.Co.UK.

► 7 June 2018, at the Surrey, Camberley Theatre, tickets can be got via:- CamberleyTheatre.Biz.

► 10 June 2018 at the Northants, Kettering Lighthouse Theatre, tickets can be got via:- LighthouseTheatre.Co.UK.

► 13 June 2018, at the South Yorkshire, Rotherham Civic Theatre, tickets can be got via:- RotherhamTheatres.Co.UK.

► 17 June 2018, at the Cheshire, Stockport Plaza, tickets can be got via:- StockportPlaza.Co.UK.

► 20 June 2018, at the Co. Durham, Hartlepool Town Hall, tickets can be got via:- Town Hall Theatre.

► 28 June 2018, at the Gloucestershire, Tewkesbury Roses Theatre, tickets can be got via:- RosesTheatre.Org.UK.