22 SEPTEMBER 1950, Page 11

BALLET

"Trumpet Concerto." (Sadler's Wells.)

SINCE a grand and ambitious ballet has been commissioned for out senior company, it was.a nice idea not to leave our junior company in the cold, and to invite M. Balanchine to compose one of his now familiarly typical works for the Sadler's Wells Theatre Ballet M. Balanchine therefore remained in this country to be present all the premiere of Trumpet Concerto in the Sadler's Wells Theatre ott Monday night. The ballet, arranged to Haydn's music, is naturally, on a much more modest scale than those to which we have recently become accustomed, but nevertheless it was no mean test for the young dancers, who acquitted themselves well from the technical aspect, and who realised the choreographer's intentions with obvious understanding and enjoyment. Only the premiere danseuse, Svetlan Beriosova, was miscast. Her tragic ballerina air was quite out of keeping with the gaiety of the ballet's mood. For in Trumpe Concerto M. Balanchine has almost, and with great daring, parodied his own inventions, but with such charming humour and lightness of touch as to make this little ballet a most lovable affair. It amusingly dressed by Vivienne Kernot.

The company has opened its winter season evidently much! refreshed, and its entire programme was performed with spirit and assurance. John Cranko's ballet, delightfully set and dressed by Margaret Kaye, has come into its own. David Poole and Patricia' Miller, having absorbed their roles, are now able to give the full meaning of pathos and joy which was lacking in their earlier inter: pretations. Beauty and the Beast is a sensitive little poem, complete in its unity. Elaine Fifield danced Casse Noisette—which I pray will soon be dropped from the repertoire—with considerable tech, nical certainty. This dancer now needs to relax and give more of herself to the audience. David Blair, who partnered her, should do just the opposite. His air of self-assurance is the more tiresomili because one feels he has the makings of a first-rate dancer

LILLIAN BROWSE.