The Russian Imperial Ballet is back in Australia wowing crowds with The Nutcracker.

Following sell out performances of Swan Lake last year the company will be performing at QUT’s Gardens Theatre this weekend.

Elly Bradfield reports.

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TRANSCRIPT

Twenty of the world renowned dancers treated audiences to two short previews of The Nutcracker in the Queen St Mall today.

Anatoly Rumyantsev, Dancer: “The Nutcracker is about the kids, it’s the Christmas, it’s the parties and everybody loves Christmas.”

The artistic director says the reason for the company’s popularity in Australia is the classical style they’ve adopted.

And the dancers love coming here too.

Yuliya Golovyna, Dancer: “I really enjoy the beach and Gold Coast and I really enjoy the big city like Brisbane.”

Brisbane has been given a preview of what can be seen at the Gardens Theatre when over forty performers dance The Nutcracker.

Vox 1: “It’s always fantastic to see ballet and to see ballet in the middle of Brisbane is an even better thing.”

Vox 2: “I enjoyed it thoroughly thank you. What did you enjoy? Just the gracefulness and the beauty and the costumes.”

Vox 3: “Excellent thanks, yeah I enjoyed it, very much so.”

The dancers will be performing three more shows in Brisbane before they depart for other shows around the country.

Anatoly Rumyantsev, Dancer: “The Russian ballet is the most popular ballet in the world.”

Elly Bradfield, QUT News.