A renowned graduate ballet company will be taking to the stage in Chelmsford next month. 

Ballet Central will be performing at the Civic Theatre in Chelmsford on April 15 as part of its nationwide tour for its 30th anniversary. 

The annual Ballet Central tour offers a chance to see some of the most highly skilled, new dance talent perform newly commissioned works and much-loved revivals by the dance industry’s top choreographers.

William Glassman, Artistic Director of Ballet Central, explains why the Ballet Central tour is so well received across the UK: “Each year we bring a programme featuring works by some of the UK’s most highly acclaimed established choreographers and talented young choreographers to local theatres.

"It’s a chance to see electrifying new works and time-honoured favourites performed regionally.

"The 2015 repertoire includes a dynamic range of new pieces; an energetic neoclassical work by Scottish Ballet's Artistic Director, Christopher Hampson entitled Four, to music from Flak by Graham Fitkin; a world premiere of Morning and Moonlight, a contemporary piece suggesting elements of a seascape by international choreographer Christopher Bruce CBE, performed to excerpts from Benjamin Britten's Sea Interludes from Peter Grimes; an enthralling narrative work by current MA Choreography student and Dancer with Birmingham Royal Ballet Kit Holder entitled Hopper, inspired by the paintings of American artist Edward Hopper which features a new score by Ballet Central's Musical Director Philip Feeney.

"Classical ballet fans will relish the Blue Ball Pas de Deux from Cinderella, choreographed by the late Company Founder Christopher Gable CBE and staged by Carole Gable, as well as La Fille Mal Gardée Pas de Deux and Pas de Quatre staged by Central tutors Resmi Malko and Patricia Linton.

"This year's tour will also see revivals of Code by Phoenix Dance Theatre's Artistic Director and Central Artistic Advisor Sharon Watson, and Scenes from a Wedding by Christopher Marney, Matthew Bourne's New Adventures Company Principal Artist and Central MA Choreography graduate."

Audiences for the much-anticipated Ballet Central tour are increasing each year, attracting dance lovers and those new to live dance performance.

The varied repertoire features a programme of ballet, contemporary and narrative dance suitable for families and all age groups.

Ticket prices are deliberately low to make the tour widely accessible.

Ballet Central is the touring company of the leading centre for professional dance training and education, Central School of Ballet (Central) based in London.

Students on the final year of their three year BA (Hons) degree course join Ballet Central to gain invaluable touring experience before graduation.

Ballet Central’s dancers not only perform but also help with all aspects of staging, from technical lighting to wardrobe.

Another highlight of Ballet Central is the music, much of which has been created by Central’s Composer-in-Residence Philip Feeney who also performs live on the tour.

Sara Matthews, Central’s Director, said: “We are the only vocational ballet school to offer an Honours Degree in Professional Dance and Performance and pre-professional touring experience on such a scale.

"Ballet Central continues to be a springboard for hundreds of dancers into the top international dance companies.

"Dancers live to perform so touring is a much anticipated part of our three year curriculum and we hope that the Ballet Central tour will provide inspiration to young dancers who may be thinking about professional dance as a career.”

Graduates from Central go on to join the world’s premier dance companies.

Recent Central students are currently employed with Birmingham Royal Ballet, Matthew Bourne’s New Adventures Company, English National Ballet, Scottish Ballet, National Ballet of Estonia, Ballet Black, Northern Ballet, K Ballet, Rambert Dance Company, Phoenix Dance Theatre, Slovakia Ballet, Singapore Dance Theatre, Billy Elliott and many more.

Matthew Bourne OBE, renowned Artistic Director and founder of Matthew Bourne's New Adventures company said: “A graduate from Central School of Ballet is a valuable asset in any company for they have already experienced life as a professional dancer by touring with Ballet Central.

"I have had the pleasure of working with many highly talented graduates of Central School of Ballet, indeed, several have played demanding leading roles in my productions with great success.” 

Visit chelmsford.gov.uk/ballet-central-2015 for show and ticket details.