Stop Ballet Aching

The last time my brother John was up in London on a weekend visit early in February, he mentioned that he had been to see a ballet company in Wales and that it was "amazing". Probably because we were in the pub, I can't even remember how we got on to the topic, but after that revelation it was my turn to be amazed; no disrespect to him, but he is about the least likely balletomane I can imagine.

Since then I have been looking for a painless introduction to the art. The Scottish Ballet are at Sadler's Wells this week doing a version of Tennessee Williams' A Streetcar Named Desire. It is a collaboration between theatre and film director Nancy Meckler and choreographer Annabelle Lopez, and features a specially commissioned jazz score. I've seen the play on the screen and the theatre and know the story inside out, so last night I went along.

A Streetcar Named Desire, Scottish Ballet, review: 'tugs at the heart-strings, shreds the nerves'
Scottish Ballet's version of A Streetcar Named Desire does Tennessee Williams's steamy, pitch-black masterpiece full justice, says Mark Monahan.

I agree. Five stars from me too.