Varna International Ballet returns for a new season in 2026, brought to life by magical special effects. Performed by Varna International Ballet; accompanied by a live orchestra, Varna International Ballet Orchestra.
Founded in 1947, the critically acclaimed Varna International Ballet returns to the UK for a third consecutive year, following two breathtaking tours.
This year, the company is touring three captivating productions: Swan Lake, The Nutcracker, and Cinderella.
We caught up with principal dancer Pauline Faget to learn more about her roles and her methods.
What can you tell me about your roles this year?
In Swan Lake, I dance the main role of Odette and Odile. This role is very challenging for me, both physically and emotionally.
Odette is a young woman who is turned into a swan by Rothbart, an evil magician. She needs a lot of control, musicality, and pure emotion, and I must stay very connected with my partner.
Odile is very different. She is strong, confident, and seductive. She is not just happy — she truly celebrates and enjoys their victory. The pas de deux is very technical and brilliant.
My favorite moment is when the Prince understands his mistake and Rothbart and Odile rejoice in their victory.
Dancing these two very different characters is difficult, but it helps me grow and express myself more as an artist.
In The Nutcracker, I dance Marie, a young girl who receives a nutcracker from her uncle Drosselmeyer at Christmas. In the first act, I really feel like a child again on stage. I dance with my “parents” and my little brother Fritz, who is very playful.
The dancer who plays Fritz loves to make small jokes on stage, and it makes my reactions very natural and spontaneous. This makes the character feel more real and alive for me.
In the second act, the Sugar Plum Fairy variation needs very precise musicality, and I love dancing in harmony with Tchaikovsky’s beautiful music.
What inspired you to pursue a career in ballet?
It happened little by little. At first, I started dancing just because there was a dance school in my small town, and my friends were joining. I began ballet when I was five years old.
One day, my grandmother came with me to my class, and I told her, “You know, Grandma, I will never stop.”
I had an excellent teacher who shared her passion for ballet with me, but also taught me discipline and hard work.
Later, I saw my first ballet in a theater, Coppélia, danced by the Bordeaux National Opera Ballet. It was a magical moment that I will always remember. The emotion on stage was unforgettable.
Little by little, I became more and more involved. I started doing summer courses and workshops, and the more I learned, the more my passion grew.
Today, I am inspired by the incredible dancers around the world, as well as by the interpretations of former dancers, both famous and less known. Also to see the choreography created and the challenge and/or the emotions that they give, I am also inspired by my strong desire to improve, to never give up, and to always look for ways to make movement more beautiful, more natural, and more interesting.
Above all, I love being on stage and sharing this passion with other dancers and with the audience.
How would you describe the style of these productions?
I would describe the style as unique and colorful, with a strong emphasis on emotion and the music.
The best way to understand them is simply to come and see for yourself.
How do you mentally and physically prepare for a performance?
I have a routine, and it helps me feel secure and prepared. Every day, I take class to keep my body ready, and I also do workouts or Pilates. I rehearse with a coach or alone to focus on my sensations and my body.
On the day of the performance, I make the rehearsal shorter to save energy. I repeat and mark the parts I need with my partner. We talk together about how we feel, so we can adapt to each other on stage.
Then I do my hair and makeup. Makeup is very important to me, and I like to change small details from one role to another to enter the character better. After that, I check the details, put on my costume, warm up, and then it’s time to go on stage.
After the performance, I receive corrections from my ballet masters, and I write them down to work on them the next day. If there are videos, I watch them carefully to understand and improve. I also stretch to relax my muscles.
Then I go back home or to the hotel, take a hot shower, have dinner, and usually watch videos not related to dance to relax my mind.
How do you maintain your well-being whilst on tour?
Physically, I keep my routine. I take class, warm up well, and listen to my body to avoid injuries and fatigue.
Mentally, I am very lucky to have great friends around me. We spend time together, talk a lot, and share our worries. When we can, we visit the cities where we tour. When I am too tired for that, I like to relax by playing video games sometimes.
The dancers in the company are very kind and always there for each other. I often share my dressing room with the other principals on tour, and we get along extremely well. We help and support each other a lot, and this really helps us stay strong during the tour.
And I also have a small guilty pleasure: chocolate digestive biscuits. They are my UK tour treat — I can only find them here!
Joining Varna State Ballet in 2018 must have been a significant milestone in your career so far. How do you reflect on the journey with the company so far?
Joining Varna State Ballet in 2018 was a very important moment in my life. It was my first professional company and it was a big step for me. I had to work very hard to reach this level, and I am proud of my effort and my progress.
During these years, I learned many things on stage and in life. I danced different roles and gained more experience. I also met many incredible people. Some of them became my closest friends, and they are very important to me.We supported each other, shared our feelings, and helped each other during difficult times. These friendships made the journey much more special.
When I look back, I feel proud of how far I have come. The journey with Varna State Ballet helped me grow as a dancer and as a person,and I am very grateful for everything this journey has given me so far.
You've grown to the point of being a principal dancer. Who has had the biggest impact on your career so far?
I have been very lucky to work with many excellent teachers, ballet masters, and répétiteurs. Each of them helped me at different moments of my journey and taught me important things.
But the people who had the biggest impact on my career are my parents. They are not from the dance world, but they always supported me and continue to support me in my choices. They always let me choose my own path, guided me during moments of doubt, and trusted me. Without their support, I would not be where I am today. They gave me the strength and confidence to follow my dream.
What do you hope someone takes away from seeing one or both of the shows?
I hope people leave the theater feeling emotional and inspired.
With Swan Lake, I want them to feel the drama, the love, and the tragedy of the story, and be touched by the music and the characters.
With The Nutcracker, I hope they feel joy, magic, and a return to childhood.
Above all, I hope the audience can truly enjoy the moment. I want them to forget everyday life, their worries, and their routine for a little while, and simply let themselves be carried by the music and the dance.
Ballet is a moment of escape and pleasure, and sharing that feeling is very important to me.
If they leave the theater happy, then I am happy too.
Swan Lake tours until 13th March 2026.
The Nutcracker tours until 3rd March 2026.
Cinderella tours until 14th March 2026.
For tickets and venue information visit https://www.rg.live/festivals/varna-international-ballet
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