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There was still a sense of occasion as the popular Adam Cooper was making his triumphant RB return and his adoring fans would make themselves heard at the curtain calls and with a flower throw from the right balcony.

The first scene was a bit messy, the eight girls quite ragged and Ivan and even Adam missing spins. It was Ivan's big night and it didn't go very well overall - he looked distinctly uncomfortable with Jane Burn, presumably due to lack of rehearsal time rather than anything else. His solo lament before the duel in Act 2 was much better and all night his acting seemed much improved.

The mirror pdd in Act 1 is one of ballet's great scenes, in my opinion, and this was a scintillating version. Cooper was masterful, passionate, attentive and romantic, all the things that Tatiana is so desperate to see from the cold and disinterested Onegin. A wonderful scene, beautifully danced.

The ill-judged flirting in Act 2 seemed less outrageous to me this time - last time I felt like slapping Olga's thighs for being so obtuse. This time it felt more like Lensky was being more moody and that maybe some past issues with Onegin were also motivating his fatal fit of pique. At the end of the scene, where the two woman implore Lensky to retract his challenge, I didn't feel the close work went very well - not at all smooth. The duel scene was then suitably dark and fatalistic, though I really think someone should check if Lensky is really dead after being shot just once - I mean, he might be just slight wounded instead! I though Mara's rejection of Onegin was reasonable but not as heart-chilling as in the past.

Act 3 then opens with a gorgeous pdd between Prince Gremin and his wife, Tatiana. Chris Saunders was Gremin and this pdd was quite lovely and very romantic. Quite a few female sighs were audible around me at the end. Finally, the great final scene, with Tatiana tempted by Onegin's passionate return, but finally sending him away despite her heart's torment. This is why the previous pdd with Gremin is so important, as I’m not sure everyone realises what that scene is there for - the relationship between husband and wife is genuine and long-lasting - she does not ultimately reject Onegin just because of social convention - she genuinely loves her husband, it's just that Onegin is her Number One, as most of us have somewhere in our heart.

Ivan is a rare talent, but young and I'm sure he has learned a lot from working with Cooper in recent weeks, a dancer who just radiates charisma and power, qualities perfectly matching the requirements of playing the aloof and arrogant Onegin. Despite being poorly lit all evening (Onegin dresses in black and dances a lot in dimly-lit rooms - could he use a spotlight you think?!) he dominates the stage and Mara seemed happy to trust him and to let herself be guided by a consummate performer. They embraced happily during the curtain calls and Adam appeared delighted with the audience response and the evening as a whole, as should he be.

Overall, one of the most injury-hit opening nights in a long time, turned out be an enjoyable evening - but one wonders just what might have been.