Choice: Dance

Tales of Hoffman, Theatre Royal Glasgow (0141-332 9000)

Contrary to widespread reports, the Royal Ballet is not enjoying waves of critical acclaim. Quite apart from weak touring programmes, lack of quality choreographers (they have had no house choreographer since David Bintley left to head Birmingham Royal Ballet) and drab box-office for their closure period so far, they have been lousy at developing and holding on to talent. Take Adam Cooper, a dramatically gifted young dancer with acres of potential who was being virtually held back, despite the fact that he was one of the very few men Sylvie Guillem would deign to dance with. So Matthew Bourne took him under his wing and made him a star in AMP's Swan Lake (above). He and his partner Sarah Wildor then created the leading roles in Bourne's Cinderella, and now he's making his debut as Hoffman in Peter Darrell's production. Clever old Scottish Ballet. They've even given him the opportunity to choreograph later this year. That's what I call creative thinking.