Screening just in time for school holidays, Frederick Ashton’s joyful ballet contains some of his most virtuoso choreography, and has been a firm favourite with audiences for over 50 years. Set in a storybook village and featuring an abundance of farmyard merriment, chickens, haystacks, and even a Shetland Pony, the pastoral comedy tells the story of Lise (Natalia Osipova), the Widow Simone’s (Philip Mosley) wayward daughter in love with Colas (Steven McRae), a young farmer, who contrives to outwit her mother’s plans for a more advantageous marriage. The sunny ballet is laced with good humour, and is a whirl of dancing chickens, grouchy guardians, a gloriously funny clog dance, a celebratory maypole dance and plenty of romance. This is wonderful entertainment for all ages. Read the reaction from European audiences who attended the live cinema broadcast here.