Moscow City Ballet celebrates its 25th anniversary with an eagerly-anticipated return to the UK next year.

The company is marking its silver milestone with a season dedicated to the legacy of founder and artistic director, the late Victor Smirnov-Golovanov.

The dramatic programme of Russian classics coming to Bradford in February includes performances of Romeo And Juliet and Don Quixote.

Set to Prokofiev’s dramatic score, Romeo And Juliet brings the hustle and bustle of Renaissance Verona to life in a powerful production following the fate of the star-crossed teenage lovers.

Don Quixote is the fantasy story of an eccentric Spanish nobleman’s travels, a light-hearted ballet showcasing the theatricality, virtuosity and bravura of the entire company of dancers.

Founded in 1988 by Victor Smirnov-Golovanov, who died this year, Moscow City Ballet remains in the safe hands of his wife Ludmilla Neroubashchenko, who has led the ballet company over recent years and is now artistic director.

“It’s been an incredibly sad time, but we have found strength in the kind messages sent from around the world,” she says.

Ludmilla’s favourite ballet is Prokofiev’s Romeo And Juliet. “This was the last production of my late husband,” she says.

“The music is powerful, the choreography matches it. It’s a ballet about life and death, but at the same time how fragile love is. It touches me on so many levels; even though I have seen this ballet dozens of times, I cry every time.”

How does the company prepare for an international tour?

“It’s hard work, lots of sleepless nights for me, sore feet and aching muscles for the dancers, headaches for our administrators. It takes time, effort and commitment,” says Ludmilla.

“The new dancers need to learn our repertoire, everything needs to be rehearsed to a level where people live on stage and don’t think about which movements they need to do.

“I travel with the company and watch every performance.”

Moscow City Ballet runs at St George’s Hall on Sunday, February 12 and Monday, February 13. For tickets ring (01274) 432000.