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With a single dessert and just two glasses of wine our bill was kept in check - but the effort of doing so was not much fun
Babbo
Film
This is a film with beautiful performances and a visual style that urges you towards reflection
Bright Star
Theatre
Although the first half of Kwei-Armah’s production is pacy, funny and intelligent, the energy level then drops off
Seize The Day
I loved this film from start to finish. Take the girlfriend, tell your mum - I'd see it again tomorrow and will buy the dvd.
I saw this last night and can't remember the last time I was so moved in the theatre.
I have been to many of London's so-called best Japanese restaurants and none have been as good as the food that I've had at Aqua Kyoto
London,
Sarah Frater's rating
Reader rating
Description: The second programme of performances from the Mariinsky Ballet, showcasing the talent of choreographer George Balanchine and two of his most famous works, Apollo and The Prodigal Son.
Trains: Tube: Angel 
Phone: 0844412 4300
Website: www.sadlerswells.com
Balanchine act: Olesya Novikova and Vladimir Shklyarov in Pas de Deux
“Isn’t she beautiful,” whispered the little girl behind me as Olesya Novikova pirouetted. No critic could put it better, for Novikova is lovely, a small, neat dancer with both physical intelligence and youthful brio. With Vladimir Shklyarov, Novikova spun through the gossamer gallantry that is Balanchine’s Tchaikovsky Pas de Deux, not long after she charmed as Polyhymnia in his Apollo.
This features one of the loveliest moments in classical dance, when the young God raises his arms into the shape of Terpsichore’ s lyre. It is a gracious acknowledgement of her inspiration and his gratitude.
One-time Mariinsky dancer Igor Zelensky has wowed us as Apollo from London to New York and St Petersburg but he looked tired and sore-footed last night. There was also a stiffness to his hips and some decided scrappiness in the penultimate fast section.
Not so Ekaterina Osmolkina, whose Terpsichore was elegance and grace. Her namesake Ekaterina Kondaurova gave a gamier performance as the Siren in Prodigal Son in which Balanchine tracks the Biblical story. Some sections, such as the carousing munchkins, look awkward to our eyes but the central duet with the Siren is as potent as ever, something maestro Gergiev encouraged with robust conducting.
Next to these Balachine classics, all else was bound to pale. That befell Alexei Ratmansky, an able dance-maker, whose Middle Duet couldn’t compete with the great choreographer.
Tonight only (0844 412 4300).
Details are correct at the time of publication - please check with venue before booking.
