FAULTLESS in its dramatic, baroque, sets and dazzling costumes, The Birmingham Royal Ballet has had Sleeping Beauty as one of its flagship performances for nearly 20 years.

But the recent performances at the NIA disappointed.

To a ballet novice the sets were breathtaking and Tchaikovsky's score was wonderfully performed by the orchestra but although Sleeping Beauty Asta Bazeviciute's performance was technically correct, her solos lacked passion.

For an accomplished performer who can number Odette/Odile, Giselle, Sylphide, Aurora, Lucia and Titania on a glittering CV Ms Bazeviciute was almost going through the motions for whatever reason.

The ballerina was outshone by Australian counterpart Andrew Murphy but neither had the audience spellbound when they had the stage to themselves.

Murphy put more into his performance hauling his huge Antipodean frame around with grace.

But the principals failed to arouse any emotion in the audience - unlike the cameo appearances of a number of other fairytale characters in the finale.

Puss in Boots stole the show despite the briefest of appearances as the rest of the cast were to the fore, as if the whole production was seen out of focus.

The choreography of the mass dances was flawless but not enough to win over an audience who seemed underwhelmed upon leaving.

MH