Work: Harlequinade

The Australian Ballet's return to London's Royal Opera House after a 35 year absence, proves successful at every level.

A lovingly reproduced historical reconstruction, but is it enough to connect with modern Australian audiences?

Harlequinade shows Ratmansky's usual scrupulous care when reconstructing Petipa's ballets. His attention to detail and obvious love for the art form are to be admired. But these ballets are also living, breathing works and they need strong performances to be viable in the repertory.