IMPRESSIVE is the only word to describe the English National Ballet company, in town at The Grand Theatre.

Their one-night Tour de Force included three contrasting ballets -- two modern and one traditional.

The programme began with Trapeze, a recently rediscovered work written by Prokoviev in 1924. In plain leotards six dancers brought the discordant music and bare stage to life with their precise, agile movement and amazing grace on a centre stage trapeze.

Then came Facing Viv, a short but emotionally charged ballet by choreographer Cathy Marston. Set to flowing, poignant music six dancers gave a stunning performance, portraying the fraught relationship of author T S Eliot with his wife, Viv.

But the highlight of the evening was undoubtedly Grand Pas from Paquita, chocolate box ballet at its best. Glittering costumes, traditional music and choreography, and a full company and orchestra brought the evening to a satisfying conclusion.