Grigorovich's Spartacus, the Bolshoi's signature ballet since 1968, delivers because it is artistically coherent. His choreography may be painted in broad brushstrokes, but it makes sense. The central characters are given long solos to express their doubts and fears. Then they go back into action, fully committed to their high kicks and gravity-defying leaps among the assembled masses.

Spartacus (Dmitri Belogolovtsev) pits his fellow slaves against the imperial might of the Roman army, led by Crassus (Vladimir Neporozhny), and loses. Khachaturian's rousing music inspires thumping swathes of movement. The Bolshoi orchestra plays as if for its own big theatre and for much bigger dancers than those we see on the Opera House stage. These men are bantamweights compared with their predecessors: suppleness has been favoured at the expense of power.

Belogolovtsev hasn't the thrust into the air that would awe his followers and the audience. He is strong enough, though, to accomplish the breathtaking one-arm lifts with loyal Phrygia (Anna Antonicheva,tender and trusting). The Soviet-style production looks dated, but it still carries conviction. Spartacus remains fit for export: Romeo and Juliet should stay at home.