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Performer: John B. Read

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Glorious debuts in Ashton’s La Fille mal gardée at The Royal Ballet

Luca Acri as Colas and Anna Rose O’Sullivan in La Fille mal gardée © RBO 2026.  Photographed by Andrej Uspenski
Two vivid debuts as Colas, marked the second revival of La Fille mal gardée this season at The Royal Ballet.
****1
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Natalia Makarova's La Bayadère: a night to remember in Oslo

Norwegian National Ballet in Natalia Makarova's La Bayadère © Erik Berg
Norwegian National Ballet gives a marvellous rendition of Natalia Makarova's La Bayadère. Opening night in Oslo was a strong argument for its place in any season, displaying ballet escapism at its best.
****1
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The Royal Ballet’s Mayerling: violent, feral, tortured dance

Melissa Hamilton as Mary Vetsera and Matthew Ball as Crown Prince Rudolf in MacMillan's Mayerling © 2026 RBO, Tristram Kenton
In this latest revival of Kenneth MacMillan’s Mayerling, The Royal Ballet presents a roster of powerful and vivid interpretations across the board.
****1
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The Royal Ballet in Perspectives: a diverse and challenging triple

Fumi Kaneko with The Royal Ballet in George Balanchine's Serenade © 2025 Tristram Kenton
The Royal Ballet presents a triple bill of diverse works including one world premiere and one UK premiere. As per usual, the supreme roster of dancers tackles each with aplomb.
****1
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Ashton’s La Fille mal gardée: the most joyous of ballets

Vadim Muntagirov as Colas in Ashton's La Fille mal gardée © 2025 Alice Pennefather
If you’re in need of a pick-me-up, get thee to the Royal Opera House and see La Fille mal gardée, a gem of a ballet. There’s a long roster of impressive casts to choose from.
****1
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The RB's Romeo and Juliet: electrifying on-stage chemistry

Natalia Osipova as Juliet and Patricio Revé as Romeo with The Royal Ballet in Romeo and Juliet © Andrej Uspenski/RBO
A compelling performance of MacMillan's Romeo and Juliet from an excellent cast, proves to be a triumph for Patricio Revé, debuting with the Company and paired with Natalia Osipova.
*****
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ParisL'Histoire de Manon

© Svetlana Loboff - OnP
Massenet: Manon
Sir Kenneth MacMillan; Ballet de l'Opéra de Paris; Martin Yates; Nicholas Georgiadis