The Times, February 22, 1962

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Mr Rudolf Nureyev’s conquest of Covent Garden in Giselle last night might have been predictable but could hardly have been more complete . . . For Dame Margot . . . her Giselle has never proved more satisfying since the immature perfection she achieved . . . during the war.

Mr Nureyev’s naturalistic acting was occasionally at odds with the formal, semaphore mime favoured by the Royal Ballet. At times it looked as though Mr Nureyev was, as it were, appearing in Chekhov while most of his colleagues were acting out Maria Marten. Here everyone was out of step except Mr Nureyev, but about his changes in the choreography one could not be enthusiastic . . . he is a dancer of immense potentiality. Yet this did not excuse his interpolation into the ballet of 34 exquisitely executed entrechat-six, which by their dramatic ineptness became more a matter for accountancy than congratulation.

His partnership of Dame Margot was exemplary. A cavalier in the great Soviet tradition, he inspired her to a performance of great integrity and beauty.

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