Three classic performances, recorded by the BBC in 2005 and 2006, are to be shown in high definition at the Pavilion Cinema in Galashiels over the next two months.

The idea for the screenings came following the success of last year’s Opera Live season, which gave cinema-goers the chance to watch performances beamed live by satellite from the Met in New York, giving them both the full ‘in-house’ theatre experience and rare insight into what goes on backstage.

Due to popular demand, the Opera Live season will be returning to the Pavilion in October, but in the meantime, ballet lovers can enjoy a similar experience with a series of three performances being launched next weekend with The Sleeping Beauty, which features choreography by Marius Petipa and the music of Pyotr Il’yich Tchaikovsky, conducted by Valeriy Ovsyanikov.

Cinema manager Andrew Poole said: “This represents another bold move by the Pavilion to offer all our customers a choice of screened entertainment as culturally diverse as possible.

“The first season of live opera was slow to begin with, but as word of mouth spread, popularity grew and last two performances were sold out well before performance date. The addition of recorded ballet performances further emphasises our commitment to a new and growing customer base. If these recorded ballet performances are a success, there is an opportunity to show a live ballet performance in June 2009, which we will look at if there is demand.

“These three ballet performances bring our total planned classical performances scheduled to 13, including the 10 Opera performances scheduled from October 2008 to May 2009.”

Subsequent performances will be Sylvia on Sunday, September 21 - with music by Léo Delibes, choreography by Frederick Ashton and conducted by Benjamin Pop and finally Romeo and Juliet on Sunday, October 26, featuring music from Sergei Prokofiev conducted by Boris Gruzin and choreography by Kenneth MacMillan.

Next week’s performance of The Sleeping Beauty is at 7pm on Sunday, September 7 at the Pavilion Cinema in Galashiels. Tickets priced £12.50 (£11) are now available from the cinema or by calling 01896 752767.