Founded in 1947, Varna International Ballet is perhaps best known for its biennial competition, which has launched the careers of many of today’s leading dancers. Now, under the artistic direction of world-renowned dancer and choreographer Sergey Bobrov, Varna International Ballet has returned to the UK for its most extensive tour yet to perform much-loved classics Swan Lake, The Nutcracker and a new production of Cinderella.
Dance Informa caught up with Bobrov to discuss the company’s direction, the logistics of touring a full-size ballet company and orchestra, and how he keeps dancers consistent, full of energy and at peak performance throughout a demanding schedule that spans 23 venues across England, Scotland, and Wales.
Varna International Ballet has become a major name on the global stage. Can you tell us more about the company, its mission and long-term plans?
“Varna International Ballet is the heir to the finest traditions of European ballet. The foundation of the company’s repertoire has always been classical choreography and world-famous ballets such as Swan Lake, The Sleeping Beauty, Le Corsaire, Giselle, The Nutcracker, Coppélia, and many others. Its soloists have frequently won prizes at prestigious choreography competitions both in Bulgaria and abroad.
Today, the Varna Ballet is experiencing a new stage in its history. The company has been joined by young dancers from Italy, Spain, France, Finland, Ukraine, Brazil and other countries; many of the soloists are prize-winners of various competitions and festivals. All of them are highly professional and fully aligned with the ensemble’s core mission: to uphold the traditions of classical choreography and further develop them. The company’s repertoire plans reflect this mission, with a central place given to the ballet The Snow White in a new interpretation and with an original choreographic language by me, a student and successor to the creative legacy of the great master of world choreography, Yuri Grigorovich. I’ve brought together outstanding artists from different countries around the world. It is a young yet highly professional company.”
This year’s Varna International Ballet Tour promises an exciting programme. What are some of the highlights, and what makes this season’s repertoire particularly special/ambitious compared to previous years?
“The uniqueness of this season’s touring programme is defined by the distinctive productions featured in its repertoire. The choreographic and narrative concepts of the performances combine the work of outstanding masters of classical ballet – Marius Petipa, Alexander Gorsky, and Lev Ivanov – as well as my own. I aim to bring freshness and originality to the classical interpretations while preserving the traditional style and spirit of these works.”
Touring a full ballet company along with a live orchestra is a massive undertaking. Can you give us an insight into the logistics behind the scenes?
“Any tour is always a test for the entire company – a test of resilience and professionalism. Of course, we obtain information in advance about the venues, their dimensions, and technical facilities. However, reality often requires adjustments to our plans, which means the entire process must be carefully overseen from the initial concept to the final performance of each tour. Nevertheless, I always find support and understanding from tour promoters, theatre management, as well as from the artists, musicians, and technical staff. The main secret behind the quality of a tour is the cohesion of the whole team and a shared commitment to presenting flawless performances to the audience.”
Each venue brings its own unique challenges, from stage size to acoustics. How do you and the company adjust to these differences to make sure each performance meets the same high standard?
“Adaptation is an essential part of any touring programme. Yes, stages differ and conditions vary. The solution is always the same: rehearsals and discipline. Touring should never replace daily barre work in the ballet studio or revisiting previously learned material. Audiences in every city should always feel that the performance is being created before their very eyes. Professionalism and inspiration are the key words for all of us. This is something I learned from the masters of the Bolshoi Theatre, for example, Maya Plisetskaya, with whom we rehearsed extensively. It is this attitude to the stage that I strive to instil in the artists of the Varna Ballet.”
Touring can be physically and mentally demanding for dancers. How do you support the company to stay at peak performance?
“Good physical condition and a solid classical training are essential prerequisites for a ballet dancer’s consistent career. Each artist must also possess a strong determination to achieve high results. Without this inner drive, nothing is possible. A dancer’s success begins with the individual, and the great dancers have always set an example in this regard. At the same time, the work must be engaging and inspiring, driven by the prospect of self-improvement. Methods inevitably depend on the dancer’s personality; this is especially true for soloists, who must not only be technically accomplished but also create characters and act as true artists. I strive to find an individual approach for each dancer. Strict discipline and uniformity are appropriate for the corps de ballet, where synchronisation is paramount. Working with soloists, however, is about nurturing individuality, and in this I rely greatly on my own experience of working with the masters of the Bolshoi Theatre, where I developed as an artist.”
What do you hope audiences will take away from this year’s tour, both those seeing ballet for the first time and seasoned enthusiasts?
“I would like reflections and discussions about the hard work of ballet artists to remain behind the scenes, while audiences see beautiful dancers who freely and with inspiration embody my creative ideas. I want them to see not just a company, but an ensemble – to remember a beautiful performance in which everything felt unified, and everyone was brought together by a shared impulse to convey the enduring beauty of classical ballet.”
Visit rglive.com for full details on Varna International Ballet’s 2026 UK tour.
By Allie D’Almo of Dance Informa.
