Little Suri Cruise enjoys a night at the ballet with mother Katie Holmes

She may be just two years old, but Suri Cruise is already developing an appreciation for fashion and culture [uh oh, link; check out Suri's ruby slippers/dress ;S poor girl (and Katie, even Tom Cruise, who copied Elvis recently). Logically this ballet is used in programming (most of the best fairy tales/programming scripts are turned into ballets as it's the kind of profession MK victims would be forced into [lots of spinning/mirrors/reptition/choreography/etc], see these posts [start at beginning if new]), features in this post briefly; Felicity Huffman takes one of the Fanning sisters (who performed in a Nutcracker movie) to the 'Swan Lake' ballet, see previously linked post].

The toddler was spotted admiring the array of tutus backstage after watching The Nutcracker at the New York City Ballet [included OZ/NY Leibovitz image from this post] with mother Katie Holmes.

She was given the VIP treatment as she made her way around, with ballerinas lining up to show her their intricate costumes.

Budding fashionista: Suri Cruise cast her discerning eye over the costumes after watching The Nutcracker in New York with mother Katie Holmes

VIP guest: Suri enjoyed a backstage tour with her mother

Suri's outfit was rather impressive too - she was dressed in a bright red frock, matching Mary-Jane shoes and a £250 coat from American childrenswear firm Best & Co.

Tom Cruise recently revealed the budding fashionista has complete control over her wardrobe and has already developed an aversion to sports wear.

He says: 'She's going to wear what she wants to wear. Kate even tried to get her to wear sneakers, but Suri's like, no no, those are boy shoes. I love it!'

Prima ballerina: Suri and Katie meet principal dancer Ashley Bouder

My turn! Suri takes a twirl around backstage

Meanwhile, it seems the family will remain in New York for Christmas after Katie, 29, persuaded her husband to spend the festive season in the Big Apple instead of at their sprawling home in Beverly Hills.

Katie has been appearing on Broadway in All My Sons and a source says: ‘She has been doing loads of travelling back and forth with Suri from New York to LA between shows and she’s tired.

‘She asked Tom over to New York for Christmas and he agreed. Both their families are also coming over.

‘Katie would prefer to live in New York. She and Tom have been leading increasingly separate lives.’

Despite the distance between them Katie and Tom have made a huge effort to keep their marriage alive, with Tom frequently flying to New York to see his family.

Mother daughter duo: Earlier the pair greeted fans after Katie's performance of All My Sons on Broadway