Gala programme, Mikhailovsky Ballet, London Coliseum

Rareties, new work, thongs and glitter - a fun Russian mish-mash

by Ismene BrownMonday, 19 July 2010

Le Halte de Cavalerie: 'A Clouseau-like performance from Andrei Bregvadze's Colonel (right) saves the show'Mikhailovsky Ballet

The Mikhailovsky Ballet is full of surprises. Predictably for a Russian company it brought a gala programme yesterday - unpredictably, it brought a rare example of St Petersburg 19th-century ballet comedy and a new commission of contemporary ballet. Neither of these is box office, so how refreshing is that? Then there were the thongs-and-glitter pas de deux of the strenuous 20th-century Soviet athletic style, and a classical jewel from Sleeping Beauty, and a wholly delightful court polonaise from a Glinka opera.

One is expecting something pretty good here, full of Petipan diamonds and technical fizz. Well, it wasn't

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