Perfect festive treat

There can be few more perfect Christmas treats than a trip to see Peter Wright's sumptuous version of The Nutcracker, revived again at the Royal Opera House.

Tchaikovsky's magical score, conducted skilfully here by Paul Murphy, is only part of the delight. The computerised sets, each dripping with nostalgia, are amazing, transforming in front of your eyes from the magician's workshop to a street scene to a bustling Christmas party without a hitch.

For the opening performance both Darcey Bussell and Jonathan Cope, scheduled to play the leads, were indisposed, but their replacements - Miyako Yoshida and Ivan Putrov, who will dance again on December 31 and January 10 - were far from a disappointment. Yoshida especially, as the Sugar Plum Fairy, was bewitching - a tiny, sparkling doll-like figure who managed to demonstrate both an ethereal lightness and grace and a breathtaking level of poise and control. Her deeply classical approach is perfect for this production - and she surely deserves just as much fame as Ms Bussell.

The South African Iohna Loots as Clara held her own, though, and injected a young girl's sense of wonder and delight into her role, throwing herself with relish into the second half's divertissements.

She was ably supported by Jonathan Howells as The Nutcracker, who put in an impressive display of Russian cossack dancing. Meanwhile, soloist Isabel McMeekan oozed sensuality in the Arabian Dance, showing this is far from being just a children's show.

In rep until Jan 10, Royal Opera House, Bow Street WC2, various times, £3 to £73 (returns only). Tel: 020 7304 4000. www.royalopera.org Tube: Covent Garden

The Royal Ballet: The Nutcracker