Swan Lake goes 3D

One of the most famous ballets of all time, Swan Lake, is hoping to set new records this summer as it is beamed live into hundreds of cinema screens around the world in 3D. This is the first time ballet has been broadcast live in 3D.

The performance of Swan Lake which this year marks 275 years of Russian Ballet, will be filmed live at the Mariinsky Theatre in St Petersburg, Russia commencing at 6.30pm BST on Thursday 6th June, using the most high tech 3D equipment in the world. Cinema goers will be able to watch the performance - as it happens - at their local cinema screens in 3D.

It is anticipated that over 280,000 tickets will be sold for this unique event, which is more than some of 2013’s biggest events - including Glastonbury, the Anniversary Games and Beyonce’s residency at the O2.

The production will be filmed by James Cameron and Vince Pace, whose Cameron Pace Group recently picked up Oscars for its 3D productions of Avatar and Life of Pi.

The ballet itself features the finest artists in the world, including conductor Valery Gergiev, Director of the Mariinsky Theatre and principal ballerina Ekaterina Kondaurova, who will be Odette/Odile on the night of the 3D Live. Ballet Film Director will be Ross MacGibbon, a British former Royal Ballet dancer who has performed with Nureyev, and is now the Director for Live dance to cinema.

Valery Gergiev said “Mariinsky Live 3D format is something totally new not only for us but also for the whole world. James Cameron is Mr 3D so we all know that if you team up with him something magical should happen”

The performance will be shown at around 130 cinema screens in the UK.