Fans of Johan Kobborg, and that's almost everyone, were disappointed he couldn't make his scheduled appearance in Sleeping Beauty on Saturday night.

Injury kept him off stage, but we did get Federico Bonelli instead, and few in the audience were complaining.

Bonelli joined The Royal in 2003, and although a fine dancer, he's often outshone by Kobborg himself and the ring-ding charms of Carlos Acosta (who isn't?).

Bonelli dances with Alina Cojocaru when Kobborg's not around, but he's rather passed around, and having no regular partner has undoubtedly held him back.

Not on Saturday, though. Some dancers give Prince Florimund too much psychological shading when gallantry and nobility are required. Bonelli was spot on with his gently thoroughbred reading of the role, and his refined partnering of Cojocaru as princess Aurora.

Cojocaru is a near-perfect ballerina, small, delicate and with an effortless technique. However, her acting lacks the same distinction, and on Saturday she missed the youthful wonder that defines Aurora in act one. Happily, she gave an ethereal performance in act two and a radiant one in act three.

Created in May to celebrate The Royal's 75th birthday, this new production of Beauty draws on the impor tant Sergueev/De Valois production of 1946 that defines both The Royal Ballet and our understanding of the Russian original.

English interpretations have since made it very much our ballet, the latest being the new garlands dance by home-grown talent Christopher Wheeldon. It looks gorgeous, a dazzling ballet text, with misty, muted designs by Peter Farmer modelled on the Oliver Messel originals.

• In rep until 16 December. Information: 020 73044000. www.roh.org.uk