The Bolshoi Ballet has swashbuckled into town, with a spectacular opening production of the pirate romp Le Corsaire that shows off its young bloods. None of the famed Bolshoi men, though, is likely to eclipse the new whizkid, 18-year-old Ivan Vasiliev who, though still of school age, has impressed even seasoned Russia watchers with his phenomenal aerial jumps and grace of manner. Having come in from provincial Belarus, he is regarded as still rough around the edges - but also as the true heir of the grand technique and magnetic grace of Baryshnikov and Nureyev. Marvel at Ivan and the stunning 21-year-old Natalia Osipova as they lead Don Quixote in the Bolshoi's Coliseum season, or stop the show with solos in Le Corsaire, Class Concert and La Bayadere. All 18-year-olds should be like this.
Ismene Brown
The Bolshoi Ballet, London Coliseum, August 2 - 18
FIRST POSTED AUGUST 3, 2007
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