Vienna Festival Ballet, Back to Broadway and Five Star Swing at Radlett Centre

ONE of Tchaikovsky’s most famous ballets is coming to The Radlett Centre for two performances on Saturday.

Vienna Festival Ballet is performing The Nutcracker at 2.30pm and 7.30pm, the story of Clara and her nutcracker doll which magically transforms into a princely soldier.

The company’s founder, Peter Mallek, has hand-picked the dancers for the production and The Nutcracker returns by popular demand.

Tickets are �19.50 with concessions �16.50, available from the box office on 01923 859291 or go to www.radlettcentre.co.uk

Back to Broadway, the story of a young girl’s dream of stardom, is coming to The Radlett Centre at 7.30pm on Sunday.

It comes from the same stable as hit show Essence of Ireland and features renditions of the world’s favourite musicals including songs from Miss Saigon, Beauty and the Beast, Blood Brothers, Phantom, Grease and many more.

Tickets are �18.50 with concessions �17.50.

Chris Smith and his wife Simone who lead Five Star Swing won’t have too far to go for their performance at The Radlett Centre next Wednesday, October 26, because they live in the village.

Former Ivy Benson musician Simone and Chris, from the band of Glenn Miller’s brother Herb, feature in the show which boasts a host of classic big band/swing songs from artists such as Frank Sinatra and Glenn Miller through to Jools Holland-style jazz.

Chris said: “I’ve been brought up with this style of music as my father, Chris Smith Snr, played trombone for Frank Sinatra on his European tours. It’s great that there’s a strong resurgence in jazz and swing music enjoyed by all generations.”

Simone, who sings and plays lead alto saxophone in the band, has also played with the likes of Paul Weller and John Williams while Chris, who also sings, plays trumpet and piano.

The show begins at 8pm and admission is �17 with concessions �16.