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Before the curtain rose I had thought I was ready and aware what to expect – this was going to be (and should be) a very different take of La Fille I had been used to over the years.

But then, it turned out the difference was well beyond my expectations/imaginations - a bit overwhelmed by that fact at first, but gradually I got used to it and by the end of the performance found it both thrilling and precious.

To sum it up - it's a très très chic Fille; the 2nd cast in particular, they decidedly had an unmistakable urban air and perfumery sophistication (well they didn't look an inch like a peasant couple!), the crowds around them no less so. (If I could put it this way.... RB's Fille tastes like a good-old English scorn with rich clotted cream on top of it; POB's is a taste of macaron from a top Parisian pâtisserie – and I love them both, of course!)

Like Haydn I got rather dissappointed when the news broke out that POB would acquire this quintessentially 'English' work as their repertoire – why do they not mount their own? Over the years the company was so enthusiastic in developing local talent (choreographers) in contemporary works – why not do the same on classics and put up/revive this ballet of French origin?

But after two viewings I felt I was almost conquered by their attempt and glad for them for this recent acquisition. It's very English, that's true, but it also has a universal appeal. The wonderful choreography with lots of virtuoso dancing in it, and at its heart there's very warm and humane drama - something rarely seen on Parisian ballet stages. I'm so glad for the company as well as balletgoers there that they now have the ballet that can make people both laugh and cry at the same time!

A quick word on the set and costumes. Hats off to Ian and Annelise – you do have eagle eye (or should I rather say 'Hawk-eye'?) on details! I must admit I didn't notice the difference in scenery (wasn't bothered much....). Incidentally it appears that the set was rented from Vienna. The cast sheet says: “Location des decors de la production du Wiener Staatsoper, 1986. Construits par les ateliers art for Art Theaterservice GmbH, Vienne.”

On costumes - Lise's casual cotton attire in the 1st act aside, costume designs for Lise and Colas are also different from RB's. The vest Colas wore when he first came onto the scene was pretty 'noble' – looked like it's made of black velvet, adorned by gold (?) stitches. The colour of Lise's bodice worn in 2nd act was dusty pink (unlike RB's bright pink), and the matching skirt was also different – without small flowers all over it, but the white tutu with almost invisible pattern on it. Colas's blue jacket and the vest with floral pattern was less flashy – subtler colours; flowers drawn in more abstract way. (I loved this!)