ALL the warmth and exuberance of a Spanish evening was brought to Hampshire last night (February 10) when the world premiere of Carlos Acosta’s new production of Don Quixote opened at Southampton’s Mayflower theatre.

The ballet is based on Spain’s most famous novel – Don Quixote by Miguel de Cervantes – which follows the adventures of the aged and deluded eponymous knight and his trusty servant Sancho Panza.

One of the tales in the book, that of the young lovers Kitri and Basilio, forms the focus of the ballet. The couple hopes to marry but their plans are opposed by Kitri’s father, who would see her married off to a wealthy buffoon of an older man. It’s down to Don Quixote, a believer in true love, to help save the day.

Don Quixote is known for being a technically challenging ballet and dazzling displays of technique followed fast one after another throughout, not least from the company’s male dancers who had ample opportunity to show off their athleticism in a range of roles from macho matadors to boisterous town folk. Not that the female cohort were to be outdone, producing an array of virtuoso turns and demanding pointe work.

Mathias Dingman was a splendidly virile Basilio with the cockiness of a classic ‘rom com’ hero. As Kitri, Momoko Hirata produced a feisty, flirty firecracker of a performance, yet somehow there were few sparks between her and Basilio. Their relationship was more romantically playful than passionate, in keeping with the general light-hearted tone of the piece.

The vibrancy of Spain came through with flourishing fans aplenty, Flamenco lines and music kissed by castanets. A pas de deux from Kitri and Basilio, performed against a sunset sky provided a more tender interlude and for lovers of ballet’s more fairylike elements a dream scene supplied a sprinkling of glistening tutus.

Tom Rogers was endearing in the title role and Kit Holder brought a comic energy to his portrait of Sancho Panza.

Created especially for the Birmingham Royal Ballet, this production of Don Quixote is a completely updated take on the version Carlos previously devised for the Royal Ballet with a whole new look, concepts and design.

The score has been re-orchestrated, new elements of choreography added and the palette now evokes the heat of Spain’s scorched south along with the vibrant colours of the bullring.

Joyfully entrancing from beginning to end, Don Quixote lifts the spirits like a day in the sunshine.

Runs at the Mayflower until tomorrow (February 12) then continues on tour.

Review by Angie Owens.