Opus Arte has recently released a fine DVD of the Royal Ballet's production presented at the Royal Opera House, Covent Garden on December 23 and 27, 2007. Only wholly committed curmudgeons will be unable to resist the charm of this ballet in which dancers in animal costumes and masks bring alive Beatrix Potter's wonderful children's stories set in Victorian times. What adds to the charm of this ballet is the obvious fun the dancers have even though the masks prevent them from showing facial variations. Instead, their body language says it all.

Just imagine pigs on pointe, mice dancing a kind of ring-around-the-roses with their long tales serving as garlands, Jemima Puddle-Duck prancing artfully across the stage while flirting with the gentlemanly dressed Fox, who has quite obviously other designs on her. And then there are Peter Rabbit - though in my mind not enough of him - and Mr. Jeremy Fisher (a most delightful frog), Squirrel Nutkins and his compatriots playfully gathering nuts, the town mice and the wonderful scene of the two 'Bad Mice' (meaning naughty) venting their anger at finding a doll house with imitation food.

The music, which includes mostly forgotten Victorian melodies, is perfect for this ballet. The Royal Ballet Sinfonia under Paul Murphy performed it with gentle verve. I found this music captivating, and combined with the delightful set, the fine costumes, and the great choreography, this is the kind of ballet that is hard to resist. I am glad to have been able to watch it without the slightest reservation because there is a sense of magic in the air while The Tales of Beatrix Potter move across the television screen. And now, to be honest, I wish The National Ballet of Canada had the means to bring it to us for a change rather than the yearly Nutcracker at Christmas. I would love to see it performed in the beautiful environs of the Four Seasons Centre for Performing Arts, the ballet company's new home, which it shares with the Canadian Opera Company.