Backstage at the Bolshoi ballet in London

A Bolshoi class under way at the Opera House, London, where the Russian company is rehearsing for its season. Photograph: David Levene/Guardian Ivan Vasiliev, who plays Spartacus, is one of the young dancers who has been fast-tracked through the company. Photograph: David Levene/Guardian Natalia Osipova, one of the lead dancers, who will appear in Coppelia, stretches during the class. Photograph: David Levene/Guardian Vasiliev has his hair fixed by a Bolshoi tutor. Photograph: David Levene/Guardian A dancer shows off the grace and strength for which the Bolshoi is world-renowned. Photograph: David Levene/Guardian Dancers and coaches watch as the class begins. Photograph: David Levene/Guardian Studio practice shows off the dancers' agility and poise. Photograph: David Levene/Guardian Classes are part of the daily routine and ritual for the young dancers. Photograph: David Levene/Guardian The Bolshoi men line up at the barre during studio practice the Royal Opera House. Photograph: David Levene/Guardian In the dressing room before the main rehearsal starts. Photograph: David Levene/Guardian Ivan Vasiliev takes command of the Royal Opera House stage as Spartacus, during the Bolshoi's dress rehearsal. Photograph: David Levene/Guardian Dancers watch from the side of the stage as the rehearsal of Spartacus gets underway. Photograph: David Levene/Guardian The Moscow-based Bolshoi has for decades competed with its Russian rival, the Mariinsky, for the accolade of the world's best ballet company. Photograph: David Levene/Guardian Bolshoi dancers show off their gravity-defying action onstage at the Royal Opera House. Photograph: David Levene/Guardian Back in the studio, the women show they are equally capable of scaling great heights. Photograph: David Levene A Bolshoi dancer 'en pointe'. David Levene Photograph: Guardian Backstage at the rehearsal, the dancers prepare to go on. David Levene Photograph: Guardian The Bolshoi's summer season at the Royal Opera House includes performances of Don Quixote, Coppelia, Giselle and Petrushka. David Levene Photograph: Guardian A dancer takes a rest during class. David Levene Photograph: Guardian