An epic of our times as Shirley (Wilson) and Jenny (Delaney) go to see Darcey Bussell guest in La Beyadere with the Kirov at the Maryinsky in St Petersburg. For Darcey to be invited is an incredible honour, but equally amazing is this account of the trip. We also have a companion review by Jenny.

The whole week-end was absolutely amazing. St. Petersburg is a wonderful place. Some parts are very spectacular and others typically drab and Russian. The Winter Palace is so big you could spend a year in the place and not see everything. The Art collection is amazing!

Our start was not the best however. Customs and Immigration left you feeling very guilty for just coming into the country and then the taxi (yes it was a Lada) broke down on the way to the hotel. What a start but it must have been a regular occurrence as the driver had us going again in 4 minutes. Do Ladas have a tendency to overheat in -10 ?

The Maryinsky Theatre is a beautiful place. When we arrived at the hotel on Friday, Darcey had left a message saying we had to pick up the tickets at the Theatre. She had left them in Igor's name which meant we had a lot of fun trying to get them. In fact we were sure that we didn't get the tickets we were supposed to as the person in the box office didn't speak any English and our Russian was terrible! We think we were just sold any tickets however we did get good seats in the Stalls for $11.

We saw Angus sitting in the second row with Anthony Dowell so we went down to see him. We managed to talk to him at both intervals and he said he was very nervous and quite concerned. Anthony Dowell was also said to be concerned on Darcey's behalf . Darcey did look very nervous when she came on and had a few wobbles in the solo's and the pas de deux at the end of the first act. She visibly relaxed when Igor was on stage and her extension's were amazing. She was so pleased to see him as I think he was the only person she trusted. (She basically said that later as she said a lot of the company couldn't work out why she was there to dance as they have so many principles anyway.) By the end of the third act it was really good and they had to keep coming out to do curtain calls. In fact every time Igor came on stage and did something he got a round of applause. It was an amazing atmosphere and we thought it was normal until we talked to the ballet critic of the St. Petersburg Times on the Monday morning who said she had never seen anything like it before. She gets to watch all performances and even takes classes with the Kirov!

We were taken back stage to meet Darcey after the show. You could tell from her reaction that she was relieved that it was over and she looked really pleased to see us. She had been bragging to Igor that we were coming over to watch her and he couldn't believe it. We gave her some champagne and chocolates and she went on to say how fat she felt compared to the Russians.

On the way out Jenny did a pirouette on the stage of the Maryinsky and we spoke to Irma Noiradze (Gamzatti). She danced quite well but also had a few wobbles and looked nervous. Her pirouettes in the second act were well off centre but she danced well with Igor in the pas de deux.

The Sunday performance was amazing. Darcey looked really confident and the whole cast performed well. There were no mistakes or wobbles anywhere and the only thing that wasn't perfect was the tricky lift, but even that looked good. Darcey had said on the Friday night that Igor had told her at the extra rehearsal that morning that if she didn't do the lift the other guy would get the sack. Darcey had said she wasn't sure if Igor was joking or not but she was mightily relieved when the lift was over. The lift on the Sunday was a lot better but Darcey said she was told later that she was supposed to stick her bottom out when lifted up which she said went against everything she had been taught so didn't do it!

Sunday night Jenny and I got to sit in the Tsar's box. We were in there because of a mix up with the tickets. We were supposed to collect them but someone had already taken the ones in Igors name. Angus went back stage to try to sort it out and then came back with about two minutes to spare and dragged us up to the box which the British Consulate had hired out. We sat in the front row for the first act and then Jenny sat behind me for the last two acts. We of course got the freebie drinks at the interval and got to meet Igor's agent who seemed very confident that Igor and Darcey will be dancing a lot together in the future.

We went back stage again after the performance. We had actually planned to get together back at the hotel to have drinks but they had to go to a party so we got to walk on the stage again. Darcey was on good form and we had a nice chat. Talked about Australia (3 performances of La Bayadere), the gala in Dallas and about partners, especially the need to get Igor at the Royal which she definitely agreed with.

An fantastic week-end was had, one that will never be forgotten. Highlights were of course the shows and the pointe shoes that we were given to us from the snake scene with one signed to Jenny and the other to me. I had always wanted a pair and Jenny bless her had asked Angus to ask Darcey for a pair as she said I was too shy to ask myself.

St. Petersburg is a wonderful and impressive city as well. Loads to do as well as having the Maryinsky Do go and see for yourselves although I don't recommend February in -20. It was just a little chilly although we did have perfect snow flakes! I've heard June is a good time!