The curtain will lift on Dublin's newest theatre next year with one of the best-known ballets.

The Grand Canal Theatre will open next March, wooing audiences with Tchaikovsky's classic Swan Lake by the famous Russian State Ballet.

It is the first of more than 30 productions lined up for the 2,100 seater Docklands theatre.

Harry Crosbie, Grand Canal Theatre owner, said the auditorium will attract world-class performances to rival international venues.

"The capacity of the venue means that we will be able to ensure that the people of Ireland will be able to see world class productions at a reasonable ticket price and without the added expense of a trip to London or New York," Mr Crosbie said.

The Russian State Ballet tours Europe every year and has visited the USA, Mexico, Taiwan, China, Britain and the Middle East.

Formed in 1979 it brought stars from the renowned Bolshoi, Kirov and Stanislavski ensembles together.

The performance, which runs from March 18 to 21, will feature 70 dancers and a full symphony orchestra.

Tchaikovsky's first ballet, Swan Lake is considered by many to be the greatest classical ballet of all time.

Grand Canal Theatre was designed by world-renowned architect Daniel Libeskind, whose plans were chosen for the redesign of the World Trade Centre site in New York in 2003.