Ivan the Terrible - Prokofiev (2005)

Ivan the Terrible might be terrible, but Nicolas Le Riche in the central role was magnificent, as were both the casts I saw at the Opéra Bastille. More Bolshoi than the Bolshoi at their peak, the French company, particularly the principals, threw themselves heart and soul into Iouri Grigorovitch's blockbuster of the Soviet era. Proving once again that a bad ballet performed by exceptional dancers can not only be acceptable, but even hugely enjoyable.