Jewels

Published Monday 26 November 2007 at 15:20 by John Percival

George Balanchine’s Jewels, newly mounted for the Royal Ballet, always provoked dispute - is it a three-act ballet or a trio of one-acters? Covent Garden quotes both versions in its programme book. I reckon only the décor ever really held it together, and sadly Jean-Marc Puissant’s new designs look fussy although rather bare. A more vital point is that the choreography, created 40 years ago, is uneven and below Balanchine’s top form.

Also, on opening night it wasn’t well enough done. Blame first the conductor, Valeriy Ovsyanikov, whose treatment of Fauré and Stravinsky for the first two sections was decidedly stodgy. Despite this, Tamara Rojo, leading the opening Emeralds, provided the evening’s best dancing - smooth, elegant, perfectly shaped and timed, with Leanne Benjamin, another Emerald, not far behind. Too bad that their partners - Edward Watson and Ivan Putrov, with Steven McRae joining them - couldn’t manage the simple authority Balanchine expected from the men.

Rubies fared even worse. Of course, Carlos Acosta’s fans cheered, but he looked wrong - unflattering costume - and danced jerkily, far from his best. Here again there were two leading women. Sarah Lamb proved negligible, whereas Zenaida Yanowsky nearly carried off the secondary solos.

Surprisingly, the last part - Diamonds, with Tchaikovsky - which has sometimes looked the weakest, came off best. This is thanks to better ensemble dancing and a leading couple who really worked brightly and matched each other well - although tiny Alina Cojocaru made her substitute partner Rupert Pennefather look a giant by comparison. So early in the season, there are already too many dancers ill or injured.

Every role has two casts, so later shows may look very different, but it does not seem as if the Royal will match what we have seen in this work by companies from New York, Paris and St Petersburg.