Big Ballet bound for Britain
A ballet troupe made up of Russian women weighing an average of 20 stone is bound for Britain.
The Big Ballet company are set to perform at 27 theatres over 30 days.
It is the first time the 16 dancers, who each weigh a minimum of 17 stone, have toured the UK.
Venues still have to be confirmed because health and safety officials need to check the stages are strong enough.
"These girls are big stars," says their promoter, Alexei Ignatov. "They're proof that you don't have to be thin to look graceful."
Big Ballet's Dance captain Katya Yurgowa said: "We eat normal amounts of food, and the same kind of food, as everybody else - our size is in our genes."
Performed on a black-box stage with hand-made costumes the first section of the show is a parody of popular classical ballets such as Swan Lake and The Nutcracker.
The second is faster-paced as the larger-than-life dancers perform to contemporary music, such as Robbie Williams, Tom Jones and the Pet Shop Boys.
The Big Ballet was set up 13 years ago by top Russian choreographer Panfilov. He set out to prove people of larger build can move with the same grace, dignity and flair as traditional dancers.
A ballet troupe made up of Russian women weighing an average of 20 stone is bound for Britain.
The Big Ballet company are set to perform at 27 theatres over 30 days.
It is the first time the 16 dancers, who each weigh a minimum of 17 stone, have toured the UK.
Venues still have to be confirmed because health and safety officials need to check the stages are strong enough.
"These girls are big stars," says their promoter, Alexei Ignatov. "They're proof that you don't have to be thin to look graceful."
Big Ballet's Dance captain Katya Yurgowa said: "We eat normal amounts of food, and the same kind of food, as everybody else - our size is in our genes."
Performed on a black-box stage with hand-made costumes the first section of the show is a parody of popular classical ballets such as Swan Lake and The Nutcracker.
The second is faster-paced as the larger-than-life dancers perform to contemporary music, such as Robbie Williams, Tom Jones and the Pet Shop Boys.
The Big Ballet was set up 13 years ago by top Russian choreographer Panfilov. He set out to prove people of larger build can move with the same grace, dignity and flair as traditional dancers.