THE Northern Ballet returns to South Cumbria in the Easter holidays with a family-friendly performance of Goldilocks and the Three Bears.

Following the hugely successful tours of its previous children’s ballets, Northern Ballet now comes to The Forum, in Barrow, with its new short ballet on Tuesday April 11, with shows at 12pm and 2pm.

Part of an extensive national tour, Goldilocks and the Three Bears is a re-imagining of the classic children’s story, telling the tale of a mischievous little girl whose curiosity leads her to a house full of many surprises.

Lasting approximately 40 minutes, the ballet has been created especially for children and young families to experience live dance, music and theatre.

This latest show in the company’s award-winning series of Short Ballets for Small People follows on from the Ugly Duckling, Three Little Pigs, Elves and the Shoemaker, and Tortoise and the Hare tours, all of which have been adapted by CBeebies.

The adaptation of Robert Southey's traditional fairy tale Goldilocks and the Three Bears is choreographed by Northern Ballet junior soloist Nicola Gervasi, and includes set designs by Jane Cecchi, lighting by Alastair West, costume designs by Kim Brassley and Carley Marsh and music composed by John Longstaff, which will be performed live at every venue by members of Northern Ballet Sinfonia.

Daniel de Andrade, Northern Ballet’s artistic director of Short Ballets for Small People, says: "I am thrilled at how extensively we are touring Goldilocks and the Three Bears and we look forward to giving even more audiences the chance to experience this truly magical production.

"Our children’s ballets offer a unique opportunity to experience live dance and music for the first time through performances designed specifically with young children in mind."

Nicola Gervasi adds: "I believe live art is vital for everyone, and educating young children about the theatre is the only way they will grow to appreciate it.

"The children’s ballet will be an amazing experience because it teaches them that theatre is fun and experiencing something like this will encourage them to express themselves and be curious about what else there is out there.

"The best thing about these ballets for children is that they are of the highest standard, performed by incredible dancers and in professional settings."

Tickets for both performances on Tuesday April 11 are available from The Forum box office.

To win a pair of tickets to the show, see the Evening Mail on Friday March 31.