ARGUABLY the greatest ballet of all time, Swan Lake will bring more to the Mackay stage next month than just its stellar reputation.

There'll also be a hometown connection as former Mackay dancer Rian Thompson returns with the Queensland Ballet production cast.

He's set to appear on stage in the third act of the ballet, dressed as a steward and dancing a Neapolitan number he describes as "cheeky.”

Mackay will be the first stop on the Queensland Ballet's 2018 Regional Queensland Tour and Rian said his parents were looking forward to having him back home.

They'll be cooking up a storm, catering for the 150 strong cast and crew at a barbecue party after the show.

"It's pretty fun to have all your friends and colleagues see where you grew up and where you grew up performing as well,” Rian said.

After taking his first dance lessons at Theatre Arts Mackay when he was four, Rian progressed at the school until the age of 17, learning under the guidance of Lynette Denny who owned the studio for 44 years.

"She was a very experienced and passionate teacher, and I was very fortunate to have had her care - teaching me and encouraging me to do something with my dance.”

Keen to pass on his knowledge to the next generation of Mackay dancers, Rian will be teaching a free master class targeted at 13 to 17-year-olds while he's back in Mackay. It will be on from 4.30-6pm on June 20, prior to the evening performance of Swan Lake at the MECC.

Curtain up

What: Swan Lake

Where: MECC

When: 7.30pm on

June 20

Tickets: For tickets and more information visit themecc.com.au/

Master Class:

With Rian Thompson

Where: The Lynette Denny Space,

at the MECC

When: 4.30-6pm

on June 20