ROMEO AND JULIET English National Ballet at Coliseum

Rudolf Nureyev’s underrated ballet will probably appeal most to audiences who enjoy dance theatre. There is a striking interpretation of Juliet’s soliloquy when she does not know whether to take the sleeping potion or not and the ghosts of Mercutio and Tybalt play a major part in her decision. Daria Klimentova is heartbreaking in her torment. Vadim Muntagirov is lyrical and elegant, but his Romeo is never sexually aroused. The emotion he expresses best is grief when he learns of Juliet’s death from his best mate and hurls himself backwards again and again into his arms. Serge Prokofiev’s music, as always, an essential dramatic component throughout, is thrilling.