Much anticipated, Russia's alternative ballet company, The Big Ballet - comprising 16 female dancers each weighing a strict minimum of 17 stone and a combined average of 20 stone - presented by Amande Concerts, is all set to take on its first-ever UK theatre tour.

Commencing in Hullon February 27,The Big Ballet tour will include 27 UK theatres over a period of 30 days, performing for one night at the Grand Theatre,Swansea,on Monday, March 26. Alexej Ignatow, a producer for Amande Concerts, said: "We are delighted to bring another Russian show to UK audiences - The Big Ballet is already proving to be a big hit. When such attention is being paid to issues of size and weight, we felt that the time is right to prove that being larger is not necessarily a restriction."

The Big Ballet is a show like no other seen in the UK. All performed on a black-box stage, with hand-made costumes, the first section of the show is a parody of popular classical ballets. The second section is rather more fast-paced as the larger-than-life dancers perform to more contemporary music, such as Robbie Williams, Tom Jones's Sex Bomb' and (continuing the Russian theme) Go West' by Pet Shop Boys, and even perform to one number' in silky, buttock-less outfits.

Dion Clements, publicist for The Big Ballet UK tour, claims: "Whether you admire the fuller figure or not, there is absolutely no denying the raw power emanating from the stage when 16 large ladies perform choreographed routines in sync to thunderous music - I've witnessed theatre audiences go wild for this troupe."

The Big Ballet was established 13 years ago by top Russian choreographer, Panfilov. As a young man Panfilov had secured his position as one of the most influential choreographers in ballet.

Tickets for The Big Balletat the Swansea Grand Theatrecan be booked by calling the box office on01792 475715, or visit www.thebigballet.co.uk for more information.