The fulllength Raymonda, at the Coliseum for three performances only, is a rarity in Britain, though we are familiar here with Nureyev’s version of the third act, in the repertory of the Royal, and revived again last autumn. The version the Bolshoi have brought is Grigorovich’s, made in 1984, incorporating some material from Petipa and from Gorky, though sadly the programme gives no precise details of what has survived from earlier versions. It’s a shame that the Coliseum was so poorly attended last night: a combination of the fearsome ticket prices, the relative unfamiliarity of the name, and mixed reviews of some earlier works in the run may be to blame. But there were a number of delights and surprises in store for the audience in dance terms, even if as a narrative the work is unsatisfactory.

Website: http://www.ballet.co.uk/magazines/yr_99/aug99/lh_rev_bolshoi_0799.htm