You wouldn't think an audience would turn on Carlos Acosta, but halfway through his show at Sadler's Wells last night you half thought they might.

The short programme (in at 7.30pm, out at 9.0pm) features four mini ballets, three by the little-known Cuban dance maker Alberto Méndez, plus the eye-popping duet from Le Corsaire.

There were eight ring-ding dancers from the Ballet Nacional de Cuba, including Acosta himself, and even a small band.

Despite this promising line-up, things unravelled right away. With a 20-minute interval, there is only an hour of dancing, and, excepting the Corsaire duet, it looked both slight and immature. Not that Acosta did much to help. Méndez's ballets are short, so Acosta has added a padding narrative that makes them the romantic longings of a modern-day Miss whose boyfriend has intimacy issues.

The evening starts with the pair (Yolanda Correa and Javier Torres) falling out. He storms off, and she reads in a bed which is then hoiked high over the stage.

On come Acosta and Anette Delgado to dance the first ballet about dolls. There's a pretty girl (think Coppélia) and a soldier (think The Nutcracker) who come to life, only not at the same time, leading to romantic muddle that mirrors the couples' own. You can't fault the dancers, although the cutesy moves and panto tone are easy targets.

After more linking steps comes an African-themed piece, then more links, and then a ballet that spoofs ballet itself. None was fresh or original.

Acosta's performance in Le Corsaire was fabulous. However, it is barely 10 minutes, and even hardcore Acosta fans, which is everyone, want more than that when they buy a ticket.

• Until 28 October. Information: 0844 412 4300, www.sadlerswells.com.