ON A bitterly cold evening in Basingstoke it almost seemed fitting that the Russian State Ballet of Siberia should offer up a wintery tale.

In the first of three performances at The Anvil, the world renowned group offered up the tale of the Snow Maiden.

The Snow Maiden is based on a traditional folk-tale set in the snow-covered landscape of rural Russia, and as the curtain rises we are transported to a scene fitting of any winter wonderland, the home of Father Frost and our Snow Maiden (Elena Lapina) who wants to live among the people and not in this cold forest.

With each delicate movement from Lapina - and the rest of the adjoining cast - our ears are graced by the sound of a woodwind, string and procession from the music of Pyotr Ilyich Tchaikovsky keeping the rhythm of the narrative.

Now, I will openly admit that ballet is not my forte, but it did take me a while to get an understanding of the story-line, whether this be through my naivety or something getting lost in translation. That being said the choreography by Marius Petipa and the company’s artistic director Sergei Bobrov was faultless and completely captivating.

It wasn't until the introduction of the young Merchant Mizgir (Georgiy Bolsunovskiy) that the love story became apparent and his immediate infatuation with the Snow Maiden. It is this scene in the village of Berendeyevka that show performances is technical artistry is put front and centre.

With Mizgir smitten with the Snow Maiden it is their solo dance which really hammers home why the Russian State Ballet of Siberia is held in such high regard. The movements of the pair were beautiful, mesmerising and portrayed emotion all at the same time.

The energy between Lapina and Bolsunovskiy in this seem was fantastic and every step they took seemed effortless.

The Snow Maiden is one of the lesser known traditional ballets, but after this performance I am sure those in attendance at the Anvil will be returning to see it again, and bringing some friends along too.

The Russian State Ballet of Siberia will also perform The Nutcracker tonight, at 7.30pm, and Swan Lake tomorrow, at 2.30pm and 7.30pm.

For more information or for tickets, visit anvilarts.org.uk or call the Anvil Arts box office on 01256 844244.