SIR: Recently there was a memorable week for ballet fans in the North West. We had Birmingham Royal Ballet at the Palace Theatre, Manchester. And what a treat it was!

Three wonderful performances of Edward II - David Bintley's full-length story ballet for adults. Certainly Edward II opened up new territory for followers of ballet repertoire. Unfortunately, the advance publicity detailing this explicit tale of homosexual love, the intrigues of the mediaeval court of Edward II and his excruciating death at the hands of an executioner with a red hot poker, deterred some ballet lovers. They missed wonderful performances by this B.R.B. company, now under the artistic direction of David Bintley.

The triple bill at the end of the week was not well attended at the Saturday matinee. The audience, however, showed keen appreciation of the Ballets on offer to the music of Stravinsky, Beethoven and Scott Joplin. The Company opened the Triple Bill with Balanchine's Symphony in 3 Movements, keeping strictly to the rules laid down by the Balanchine Trust.

Grossue Fuge which followed was an enthralling ballet with four female dancers in grey leotards and four male dancers with bare chests and wearing black skirts - yes, skirts - which they eventually removed to reveal black trunks.

Elite Syncopations was pure delight. The Company danced to the ragtime music of Scott Joplin and others, beautifully played on stage by pianist/conductor Jonathan Higgins and orchestra.

?Jean M Walsh

Reynolds Close

Over Hulton, Bolton

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