RB Fille reviews Interview: Miyako Yoshida Interview: Irek Mukhamedov RB Fille Performances All Fille reviews

I saw Irek & Miyako on January 2nd - and I wish I'd sent flowers. Dozens. I have never seen such beautiful dancing in my life - I was moved to tears by Miyako in the 2nd act pas de deux. Her characterisation was impeccable - you really wanted to meet this girl! Irek, I felt, might not be the best bet for a husband - one couldn't be certain that he wouldn't be spinning the line to someone else in a year or too - but I enjoyed his interpretation, and after a shaky entrance (not enough resin?) and first solo, he settled into the part. Past his best, maybe, but still worth watching by anyone's standards.

Back to Miss Yoshida. Her footwork is dazzling, her jumps airy (thistledown is an old-fashioned word that springs to mind), she is strong and precise without ever making it obvious that she's being precise, her balances were amazing on Saturday night, and her acting was captivating. I have never seen a principal so seriously under-rewarded in the bouquet department! I had been wondering if I'd chosen the wrong cast and should have seen Hatley & Acosta, but no, Miyako really was a worthy successor to Lesley Collier. I say it again - I have never seen such exquisite dancing. Darcey? Darcey who?

Alastair Marriott (?spelling?) gave an excellent performance as Widow Simone - understated, which was good, and with some very fine dancing. The clog dance was beautifully executed (much better than Ashley Page on Blue Peter.....). Again, I found myself more impressed by the younger male dancers than the girls - better ensemble. Of the other solo roles, I did notice Gary Avis's nicely-phrased dancing as the Notary (you're right, he will be missed), and Peter Abegglen as Alain (while possibly overacting a bit?) demonstrated very considerable technical skill. Why don't we see more of him?

It was lovely to see John Lanchbery in the pit. I thought he'd retired! I was only sorry that he didn't come up to take his bow - it is after all as much his ballet as Ashton's.

In short, much as I love Lesley Collier's dancing, if they'd filmed Saturday's performance I'd have been prepared to pay an awful lot for the video.