THE world-class dance company Northern Ballet is bringing two shows to the Mayflower in Southampton next week.

The company has established a reputation for creating high quality and inspirational fulllength ballets and their take on Shakespeare’s classic comedy A Midsummer Night’s Dream looks set to delight audiences.

A Midsummer Night’s Dream will be at the Mayflower from Wednesday to Saturday and the company will also be putting on a children’s production, Three Little Pigs, on Friday.

The Olivier Award nominated A Midsummer Night’s Dream sees the romantic antics of a touring dance company played out on a magical night as they travel by sleeper train from London to Edinburgh.

The ballet covers the company’s final rehearsal and emotions are running high as artistic temperaments clash with romantic entanglements. The tension continues on board the train and as the company settle down for the night the train enters a tunnel and the dream begins.

With all the classic Shakespeare characters like Puck, Bottom, Titania and Oberon, breathtaking sets and beautiful costumes and music by Mendelssohn and Brahms, the Northern Ballet’s show promises to take you on a spectacular journey.

The company will also be bringing the classic fairytale of the three little pigs to life – a perfect opportunity to introduce little ones to the magic of ballet, music and theatre. This show is child-friendly at only 40 minutes long.

Northern Ballet’s 40 classical dancers and 27-strong Sinfonia perform under the direction of David Nixon, who was voted Director of the Year twice by readers of Dance Europe in 2003 and 2006.

* A Midsummer Night’s Dream is on at the Mayflower from May 28 to 31 at 7.30pm with matinees on Thursday and Saturday at 2pm. Three Little Pigs is on May 30 at 11.30am and 1.30pm. Tickets are available from the Mayflower box office on 02380 711811 or at mayflower.org.uk.

* On Thursday there will be a production event after the matinee performance where showgoers can get an insight into the production and technical aspects of a ballet like this. After the Thursday evening performance there will be a Q&A session.

Places for both events are free but limited and should be reserved through the box office.