December 31st 2007, January 1st and 2nd 2008

One of Russia's leading dance companies, the Kirov-Mariinsky Ballet of St Petersburg will perform Tchaikovsky's classic in a brand new venue: the National Centre for the Performing Arts, an ultra-modern, semi-submerged titanium-and-glass wonder in the centre of Beijing. Taking the stage just nine days after the new theatre's inaugural concert, the Kirov's dancers will perform an updated version of “Swan Lake”. Konstantin Sergeyev, a dancer and choreographer, has tweaked the show's plot and choreography to play on Soviet social-realist sensibilities.

National Centre for the Performing Arts, 2 West Chang An Jie, Xi Cheng District, Beijing 100031. Tickets: 280-1280 yuan, available through the box office (+86 10 6655-0000) or here (Chinese only).

(Agencies November 27, 2007)