DANCE will be the main attraction at the Birmingham Hippodrome complex with a visit by a major dance company to the main theatre plus a one-off presentation at the DanceXchange.

Saturday evening sees the English premiere of Monco by Dutch company Raz at DanceXchange's Patrick Centre venue. The dance tells the story of an ill-fated prima ballerina chosen for ballet by her parents at a young and tender age.

Described as "dance that clarifies and bewitches" the story "takes dance to the limit of the abstract". Tickets are available on 0121 689 3040.

Then, Britain's flagship modern dance company returns to the city for the first time in seven years. Rambert Dance Company presents a range of works from some of Britain's finest choreographers, "ranging from the vividly theatrical to exhilarating displays of pure dance".

Some dances may not be suitable for children.

All the works will be performed to live music played by Rambert's Associate Orchestra, London Musici, led by Music Director Paul Hoskins.

Rambert perform from June 2-5 . Tickets, priced £10-£26, are available from the box office on 0870 730 1234 or online at www.birminghamhippodrome.com