DANCE

Rambert Dance Company, Grand Theatre, Blackpool Church Street (01253-28372) Mon and Tue 7.30pm, pounds 9.50-pounds 16, concs available, then touring.

Anyone planning to see Rambert last week would have had quite a trip, as the company has been in Russia for the last fortnight playing St Petersburg and Moscow. The little that one sees of contemporary Russian choreography (remember Vinogradov's Petrushka?) suggested that the arrival of Christopher Bruce would cause quite a stir. It did. Rambert was the first contemporary dance company ever to perform in St Petersburg's giant Maryinsky theatre, and the performances (of Stream, Petite Mort and Rooster) were completely sold out.

Rambert has begun the year with success abroad and honours at home. The entire company has been nominated for an Olivier Award for a splendid year of touring with new and established work, and for its groundbreaking fortnight of affordable dance at the London Coliseum. The company's nomination for the year's outstanding achievement in dance is up against some stiff, but not insuperable competition: Sue Blane, for her sumptuously detailed designs for English National Ballet's Alice in Wonderland; Birmingham Royal Ballet's Estonian heart-throb, Thomas Edur, and the Royal Ballet dancer, Viviana Durante, currently tormenting her admirers with a year's rest from dancing.

Although Rambert only got back from Moscow yesterday afternoon, the show goes on without a break and the company opens in Blackpool on Monday with a mixed bill which includes Christopher Bruce's Rooster, a hugely popular piece danced to a selection of Rolling Stones hits. Bruce hopes one day to give this work a rest, but that elusive phenomenon, "popular demand", seems to dictate otherwise.

EYE ON THE NEW

Meanwhile in Sheffield, Rosemary Butcher, high priestess of site-specific minimalist dance, begins a retrospective of her hugely influential work, beginning with Body as Site.

Hallam University (01709 823621) 6 Feb, 8pm, pounds 5, concs pounds 3.