Pirouettes of the Caribbean

The Bolshoi Ballet returns to London with a new production of Le Corsaire, described as Pirates Of The Caribbean on pointe.

The swashbuckling drama, based on a poem by Lord Byron, is the most expensive production the company has mounted. About 160 people will appear on stage at the London Coliseum, donning a total of 500 costumes.

But the star is likely to be a 36ft-long ship, which will only just fit into the building and weighs over a tonne so the stage floor has had to be reinforced.

Tour manager Paul Godfrey said: "It's a very big show. I saw it in Moscow a couple of weeks ago and it's one of the most dramatic pieces of theatre I've seen in an awfully long time. It's very exciting."