At the Royal Opera House

Until 5th April

La Fille mal gardée (or The Wayward Daughter) is one of Frederick Ashton’s most charming ballets. Its combination of lighthearted story, beautiful solos and pas de deux and lively ensembles have made it a timeless classic of the Royal Ballet repertory and an audience favourite every time. Haystacks and chickens, ponies and storms, and a charming tale of young love in a picturesque rural scene – everything sparkles with a winning combination of uplifting and expressive dance, vibrant colour and lyrical music. This is a great introduction to ballet for newcomers of any age.

In the story, young Lise, the ‘wayward daughter’ of the title, is determined to marry Colas, the son of a farmer, for love. But her guardian aunt Widow Simone would rather she married the child-like Alain for money and status. The battle of wits and wills that follows is full of humour — and at every turn, Lise manages to stay one step ahead of her guardian. There are no prizes for guessing what the happy ending will be. Whether in the expressive power of the lovers’ pas de deux, the quirky characterizations of Widow Simone and Alain, or the shared joy of the rustic dances, this is a work to coax smiles and leave indelible memories.