'I do believe that (Rasputin) meant well and he had good intentions,' says Polunin ahead of the opening of the ballet 'Rasputin' in Moscow choreographed by Japan's Yuka Oishi. Photo: AFP
Controversial ballet star Sergei Polunin plays the role of Rasputin in a new work premiering near Moscow starting on June 1, saying that like the mystic who mesmerised Russia's royal family, he battles his "dark side".
Ukrainian-born Polunin, now a Russian citizen with a tattoo of President Vladimir Putin across his chest, has garnered a reputation as "the bad boy of ballet" - both for his passionate performances and off-stage behaviour.
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