Choreographer Michael Corder has ‘freely adapted’ Hans Christian Andersen’s lengthy story, cutting it to its essential dramatic components, and reducing it to a length suitable for an full-evening ballet.

On the surface it’s a fairy tale about two children, Kay and Gerda. Two pieces of the Snow Queen’s shattered mirror pierce Kay’s eye and heart, turning him bitter and twisted. He is abducted by the Snow Queen to her icy palace, but faithful Gerda embarks on an arduous journey to find Kay, and when she does, the warmth of her love breaks the spell. But the piece is psychologically quite complex. Why does the Snow Queen want to keep this young boy? Is there perhaps a touch of human warmth in her frosty heart? Kay is too young to be her lover – is he perhaps to be a surrogate son ?

Meanwhile, during their adventures, Kay and Gerda have matured from childhood sweethearts to mature lovers, in what amounts to a rites of passage saga.

Corder has provided a feast of classical dancing which gets increasingly exciting after the rather lame peasant dances of the opening scenes. The most dazzling choreography is given to the Queen in the icy magnificence of her frozen palace. Daria Klimentova, with her slender body and angular cheekbones looks awesomely vicious in the role, and dances with the technical perfection one has come to expect from her. Somehow she manages to convey the Queen’s stiff hauteur while dancing with the relaxed arms and fluid movement of the superb ballerina that she is. Mark Bailey’s sparkling white and silver costumes are stunning, as is the great throne, backed by the Queen’s huge shattered mirror. This magnificence contrasts effectively with the drab chalets of the children’s village home. (In Andersen’s version they live in neighbouring roof-top flats in a city).

Yat-Sen Chang plays Kay, rightly, as very young, and as usual dances athletically with a lot of pizzazz, but somehow his usually engaging stage personality doesn’t really come over in this role, his acting perhaps not up to the high quality of his dancing. As Gerda we had Crystal Costa – a young dancer who impresses me more each time I see her. Her easy technique and lyrical musicality are a pleasure to watch, but she can also act, and is very touching throughout her various adventures, which come to an end when the Reindeer, (Max Westwell – more faun than deer) has led her to the palace.

n The Snow Queen continues at the Coliseum until Sunday, January 17. For tickets: call 0871 911 0200 (www.ballet.org.uk).