The Royal Ballet is one of a handful of world class companies with a repertoire and back-catalogue of productions to die for. That's not to mention their nearly 90 dancers - which gives them strength in depth - and principals and guest principals who are amongst the finest you will see anywhere. What the Royal has, which few other companies at this level can compete with, is a naturalness in the classical and dramatic repertoire that brings their productions to life like few others.

There is real excitement about the arrival of Ross Stretton, the new Artistic Director. He comes to Covent Garden with very clear views on the need to reinvigorate the classical heritage, to move ballet forward and to broaden the audience. Stretton insists that he is committed to preserving the Royal Ballet's signature works and to keeping alive the heritage of its two great choreographers, Frederick Ashton and Kenneth MacMillan. But he is also determined, like the Royal Ballet's founder Dame Ninette de Valois, to invest the company with a thoroughly contemporary vision and to engage the most adventurous choreographers of the day. It will be interesting to see how he manages to square what is an interesting if difficult circle.

Everybody in the land should see the Royal Ballet at least once or twice, but it's not especially easy since these days they tour little in the UK and regrettably have no plans to do so. Overall ticket prices are cheaper in the rebuilt Covent Garden but even so good stalls seats will still probably cost more than for any other UK company. But that's the cost of supporting a company with such a diverse repertoire and access to so many good dancers.