Even by the currently stellar standards of The Royal Ballet, Steven McRae jumps out. His pin-perfect dancing and distinctive looks pull your eye from almost everyone else on stage, even when he's dancing minor roles in big ballets dominated by better-known names.

The young Australian, who's been with the Royal just two-and-a-bit years, has been cast in almost everything this season, and it was only a matter of minutes before he snagged more important parts.

That came last night when he led the cast not in a heritage ballet, which would have been gift enough for an up-and-coming, but in a new work by the able dance-maker Alistair Marriott.

Children of Adam is an intense little drama, the story of two brothers and a young girl. In its subject and the strength of its telling, it reminds you of Kenneth MacMillan's Triad, although in that it is the girl who comes between the two brothers, while in Children of Adam it is the sexually and emotionally baffled younger boy who is the fatal third of the love triangle.

McRae's performance was remarkably assured, not only his dancing, but also his sustained portrayal of a muddled young man.

His distress at being mocked, and his fury at rejection was palpable, while the simple gesture of turning his cheek to his shoulder conveyed all the shame and longing of his sexual frustration.

Less good were the frankly dismal sets, and some of Marriott's choreography for the group of six couples.

Still, this is only his second work for the Royal on the main Opera House stage, so no one need worry, especially as the Older Brother (Johannes Stepanek) and The Girl (Leanne Benjamin) were so well drawn.

Bookending the new work were two Balanchine dazzlers, first the serene loveliness of Apollo (Carlos Acosta an unexpectedly passionate young god, Darcey Bussell a gorgeous Terpsichore) and then the ring-a-ding-ding Theme and Variation.

Alina Cojocaru and Johan Kobborg knocked socks off in the lead roles, although the eight soloists and 16 demi-soloists gave them a run.

However, it was Steven McRae's night, the first of what should be many.

• In rep until 29 March. Information: 020 7304 4000, www.roh.org.uk