THE superb dancers from Ballet Central make a welcome return to the Bridport Arts Centre today and tomorrow.

This year will be this student ballet company’s 26th tour which will visit 20 venues across the country, including the Lowry in Salford Quays and the Linbury Studio Theatre at the Royal Opera House.

The 2011 tour offers audiences an opportunity to see new works by some of the dance profession’s leading choreographers with pieces created especially for Ballet Central by Christopher Bruce, Darshan Singh Bhuller, Christopher Marney, Sara Matthews, Kenrick Sandy and Phillip Aiden.

There is much to excite new audiences and ballet fans alike with performances by highly skilled new dance talent.

There will also be revival pieces from Christopher Hampson, Helgi Tomasson and the late Christopher Gable, the founder of Ballet Central.

The show will be made up of a variety of dance styles including classical and neo-classical ballet, dynamic contemporary dance, jazz works, narrative pieces and even street dance.

There’s a fast and furious jazz piece by Phillip Aiden called Swing Time, and a contemporary piece, Doubting Thomas, by Darshan Singh Bhuller.

Much of the music is original, composed by musical director Philip Feeney, who also provides live accompaniment during the programme.

CSB director Sara Matthews said: “Performing with Ballet Central is part of the BA (Hons) degree course at CSB.

“We are the only vocational ballet school to offer an honours degree and pre-professional touring experience on such a scale.

“Ballet Central continues to be a springboard for hundreds of dancers into the top international dance companies.

“Dancers live to perform so touring is a much anticipated part of our three-year curriculum.

“Moreover, we hope that the Ballet Central tour will provide inspiration to young dancers who may be thinking about professional dance as a career.”

The shows start at 7.30pm and tickets are £12 for adults, £11 members, £8 concessions and £7 for children and are available from Bridport Arts Centre on 01308 424204.