THE Russian State Ballet and Orchestra of Siberia made their welcome return to Darlington’s Civic Theatre on Thursday – an annual event I very much look forward to.

They opened their triple bill with a youthful and moving interpretation of Giselle.

Giselle is not a happy ballet – the two star-crossed lovers are not reunited in a heartwarming ending.

Instead, the young man has to accept that his roving eye has caused the premature death of his true love and he has to let her spirit go in peace to the ever-after.

The two stars of the show were both so young, only 21, and so perfect in these tragic roles. Both were technically adept and very well-matched.

The second act, set in the world of the spirits, was entrancing from start to finish, with a beautiful corps de ballet of 15 white-dressed sylphs protecting Giselle as her lover tries to bring her back to the real world.

It is strange for the curtain to come down on such sadness and quiet tragedy, as we are far more used to celebratory endings.

There was a moment of hesitation before the audience started the well-earned applause, and I am sure everyone will have left the theatre pondering their own thoughts about this moral tale.

Marj Nelson