A STORY of lust in the 18th century French court and music by Vivaldi were attractions enough to take me to the ballet for the first time.

And if they are all as good as this, it won't be the last time. This was, one might say, ballet for non-experts. The plot is well known to anyone who has seen the 1988 film with Glenn Close and John Malkovich, and it included the narration of the older Marquise de Merteuil (the Glenn Close character) to help us understand the tangled plot.

The set was simple but elegant, the costumes delicious, and the ensemble dances were jaw-droppingly beautiful.

The two leads, the scheming Marquise and the irredeemably promiscuous Valmont are parts to die for in any medium and Victoria Lane Green and David Kierce were both delectably bad. But the story has a moral twist and both are brought down by their wicked ways, she to live with her guilt, he to die by the sword of a rival.

Contrasted with the wickedness of the Marquise and Valmont were the two innocents - Madame de Tourvel, delicately played by Chiaki Nagao and Cecile, a charming and ingenuous performance by Georgina May.

Now, I can't honestly say that I know a pas de deux from a pork pie but if the object of any theatrical performance is to engage the audience in a good story, then this was well done. The dance, as far as I can judge, was excellent and full of athletic dexterity, and I was surprised by how much emotion can be carried without the spoken or sung word.

A great introduction to ballet - I'll be back.

Review by STEVE EVANS