A TROUPE of top Viennese ballet dancers will be performing two special pieces in West Devon next month.

Bridestowe-based GBM Productions, in conjunction with the Okehampton Arts and Music Festival, will be host to 30 dancers from the Tanzforum Wien Ballet School.

The students, from Vienna's top private ballet school, will be performing extracts from Alice Through the Looking Glass and The World of Bidlake Wood at the Octagon Theatre, Okehampton and also in Bidlake Wood near Bridestowe.

The link was forged back in 1998 when John Robinson, owner of Great Bidlake Manor, completed the music for a fantasy ballet, The World of Bidlake Wood. Music associate Ann Tait from Bridestowe created the arrangements and instrumental realisation for the piece.

It was while watching Songs of Praise, coming from Vienna, that Ann saw an interview with choreographer and artistic director of the ballet school Alexandra Young-Schmidt.

'We contacted her to see if any of our music was suitable for her dancers, said Ann.

'She told us she was looking for a children's ballet. As I had already done the music for The World of Bidlake Wood with John we suggested this might be appropriate — which fortunately turned out to be the case,' she said.

As a result the exciting ballet was premiered in the Theater Akzent, Vienna and John, Ann and Alexandra were all delighted with the result.

Alexandra Young-Schmidt trained with the Royal Ballet and worked with the company as a dancer and teacher. She had also been involved in many West End musicals before becoming artistic director of the school in Vienna which is acknowledged as the top one in the country.

It was the success of 'The World of Bidlake Wood' production that encouraged the ballet school to approach John and Ann for a further ballet — which turned out to be Alice Through the Looking Glass.

Ann had adapted the words from Lewis Caroll's magical story into a musical play and John created the music for the various characters. It was first performed by the pupils of Bridestowe Primary School. Working to the choreographic requirements of Alexandra the piece was shaped from a play with music to a composition designed for dance.

The ballet version has just been premiered in the Theater Akzent and this week both John and Ann returned from Vienna where they watched it as special guests.

'It was very exciting — I could hardly believe it. When you think about this whole project it all seems just too good to be true,' said Ann.

It is due to the success of the two ballets in Vienna that the school was keen to bring the pieces to West Devon — and especially perform The World of Bidlake Wood in the actual wood that inspired it.

'I'm delighted that Vienna is coming to Bidlake Wood. It is great to think the pieces have been performed out there — but it is even better to think that they want to come and perform here,' said Ann.

The first performance at the Octagon will take place on Saturday, July 7 at 7.30pm followed by an outdoor performance on Sunday, July 8 in the natural amphitheatre in the grounds of Great Bidlake Manor.

This will take place at 2.30pm and, in the finest of English traditions, the audience is invited to bring their own rugs, deckchairs and picnics and enjoy the programme.

Should the weather be uncooperative the Octagon Theatre is on standby for the Sunday performance.

Advance tickets are available from Millennium Music, 16 Edwardian Arcade, Okehampton EX20 1EX (01837) 659249 or ring (01837) 53800. It is hoped there will also be tickets available to sell on the door.