On their toes

The company traditionally presents a series of ballets selected from the year's performances before the new year.

From Dec 15 to 17, the company staged La Bayadere, a classic ballet originally choreographed by Marius Petipa and performed to music composed by Ludwig Minkus.

Star dancers, including Zhang Jian, Ma Xiaodong and Qiu Yunting, played the leading roles in the production that Feng says, "showcases a ballet company's level with its dazzling spectacle of colorful stage sets, elaborate costumes and a mix of dance moves and scenes".

On Jan 2 and 3, the company will stage Guo Nian, a Chinese version of The Nutcracker, at Tianqiao Theater.

Inspired by the classic two-act ballet scored by Pyotr Ilyich Tchaikovsky, Guo Nian, which premiered in the capital in 2000, is set against the backdrop of Spring Festival, China's most important traditional celebration.

Also, the timeless classic Swan Lake by Tchaikovsky will be staged at the National Center for the Performing Arts in Beijing from Feb 4 to 6. Russian ballerina Natalia Makarova choreographed the version that will be performed. In 2007, she came to Beijing and choreographed the piece with the National Ballet of China.

In January, the National Ballet will tour nationwide, performing in such cities as Quanzhou, Fujian province, Shanghai and Yancheng, Jiangsu province, with such programs as The Red Detachment of Women, Guo Nian and Soul of Crane.