Last Thursday I went to the ballet with some doubts. A French soiree with Pneuma by Carolyn Carlson and Suite en blanc by Serge Lifar was on the menu. What I had seen earlier of Carolyn Carlson's work I had found soporific, and the neo-classical ballets I had seen I had found vacuous. Apparently others had shared my doubts as the house was half-empty.

However, Pneuma, shown before the intermission, was beautiful and fascinating, while the shorter Suite en blanc was both fun and energetic. The dancers and the music left nothing to complain about, but in particular I liked the lightning of Pneuma by Rémi Nicolas; I've never before seen yellow shadows!

On the whole, a worthwhile evening.