Review: The Big Ballet, Chatham's Central Theatre, Sunday, March 20

by Alan Watkins

Size is a problem for millions of people.

If you are a ballet dancer you need to have the look of an anorexic. Or do you?

It might be in most ballet companies, but not if you are a member of The Big Ballet which is touring at present.

The Russian dance company proves that no matter how large you are, it shouldn't stop you dancing.

They used to have a minimum weight of 17 stone. That's right - a requirment that all their dancers were at least 17 stone in weight.

These days it's difficult to find such big girls - the health kick has reduced the number of heavyweight Russian babushkas. That has forced the dance company to reduce its recruitment weight restriction to 15-stone - minimum.

Don't worry though. They are still brilliant dancers - and very funny with it.

Their current presentation is Swan Lake XXL Plus.

The company has two Prima Ballerinas. The ultra-serious Tatyana Gladkih is a chubby ballerina for whom weight has not stopped her continual performance on points.

Her fellow performer is the fabulously funny Ekaterina Yurkova, a lady in red who oozes confidence, charm and the promose of pleasure.

I caught up with them at Chatham's Central Theatre where traditional lightweight companies had made a lot more noise on the stage than this heavyweight troupe.

In the second half, the company is joined by the Fighting Club dance group, whose physique and athleticism delighted the largely female audience.

If you love ballet, and regret never being svelte enough - make sure you see what you missed.