Romeo and Juliet is probably the most romantic story of all time. It conjures up all kinds of thoughts but ballet isn't always the first.

When Kenneth MacMillan choreographed his version of the ballet, it was first performed in 1965 at Covent Garden with two of the world's greatest dancers Margot Fonteyn and Rudolf Nureyev in the principal roles.

Last night the Alhambra became Bradford's very own Covent Garden with the Birmingham Royal Ballet performing to the highest standard.

The action began as soon as the curtains opened with impressive sword fighting and forceful footwork. The scene closed with a tableau of characters with the scene set of the feud between the Capulets and Montagues.

Sergei Prokofiev's sweeping symphonic treatment of this story produces a dramatic score that allows for an emotional response from all the dancers.

The rich theatrical tradition of ballet is embedded not only in the elaborate set and realistic costume but in the choreography.

MacMillan allows emotion and expression to tell the story. He uses the dancers to create a mood which along with their insight into the characters produces innovative illuminating ballet.

Both Molly Smolen and Tiit Helimets gave excellent performances as the principal roles. There was an electricity between them from the moment they first set eyes on each other to Juliet's last breath which carried the audience hoping for a different, happier ending.

However this relationship between two dancers was not just for the audiences benefit as they are partners in real-life.

The husband-and-wife duo made the intimate and intense nature of this story of love, passion and death a tribute to both the choreographer and its composer whilst being true to the story so that even Shakespeare himself would have been proud of their performance.

Jamie Bond as Mercutio is someone to look out for in the future. After a slight slip in second scene he went on to make the character his own with impressive leaps and a dramatic characterisation that made you want to mourn his death.

If you ever dreamed of being a ballerina then this is a production you can't afford to miss!