Curated by the Victoria and Albert Museum in London, this touring retrospective gives an insight into the transformative role of the Russian Ballet and the grand impresario at its heart, Serge Diaghilev.

While the man cut an intimidating figure, his groundbreaking vision led to the conception of what some now refer to as the greatest ballet company in history – one whose techniques many continue to use as a source of inspiration in devising contemporary ballets today.

In the early twentieth century Diaghilev’s directional choreography released Ballet into the limelight as an art form in its own right, after having previously been a somewhat stale sideline act to Opera. The fresh music, choreography and costume blew pre-conceived notions of austere classical dance out of the water and a new genre was born.

This exhibition draws on the V&A’s impressive collection of costume illustration, archive photographs and film to give us an insight into Diaghilev’s enchanted world. A beautiful experience for visitors of all ages.

Diaghilev: When art dances with music, until 15th Jan 2012