Anastassia Volochkova and Mark Peretokin

COMM The ballet stars of Russia Anastassia Volochkova and Mark Peretokin perform at “Bayaderka” ballet by L. Minkus in Solovyanenko Opera and Ballet Theater in Donetsk, Saturday, June 5, 2004. The recent Volochkova’s conflict with administration of Bolshoy theater was basically caused by growing weight of the ballerina. As to Russian mass communication media all the Moscow soloists refused to support her in the direct and figurative senses. Actual Volochkova’s partner Peretokin destroyed the myth of her heaviness. In the Volochkova’s benefit performance “Stairs to the Sky” (Moscow, November 13, 2003) he not only lifted her but rather long held her in the outstretched arm turning round the scene. Photo by UNIAN