The big news for this revival is the debut of Sergei Polunin as Armand.
Although Ukrainian by birth and Royal Ballet School trained, he dances in the Russian manner so comparisons with Nureyev are inevitable. Polunin, who is terrifically handsome, bears more than a passing resemblance to his famous predecessor and he dances Armand with a palpable mix of passion and anger. There is a muscular excitement to his immaculately executed moves, and a thrilling romantic sweep that takes the breath away.
Tamara Rojo is no less brilliant, her Marguerite a wondrous combination of frailty and unbounded joy. Together, they turn Ashton’s stylish ballet into a red-hot tale of love won and lost.
via The Times
Photo: Rojo and Polunin — ROH/Tristram Kenton
