EYE SIGHT

Nasty, brutish and short on ideas was the verdict of several British ballet critics when LaLaLa Human Steps first hit London in the 1980s. Nobody cared. The Canadian crash dancers with their punishing athleticism and pounding rock accompaniment were an instant hit with younger audiences. Melody Maker thought the company's star Louise Lecavalier "the most tragically brilliant dancer alive today'' although Melody Maker's critic was presumably operating from a fairly small statistical base.

Lecavalier's undeniable uniqueness as a performer rests principally in her ability to hurl her body fearlessly into space in the belief that her partner will grab hold of her before she hits the deck. This hope is not always justified and her powerful 37-year-old body carries the scars of numerous brushes with the woodwork.

The latest show by Edouard Locke uses the music of Iggy Pop, My Bloody Valentine and Gavin Bryars and is intended to be more lyrical than the slam-dancing of past extravaganzas. Early reports suggest otherwise but you may never know: the show is almost completely sold out and has been for weeks.

Peacock Theatre, Portugal St, London WC2 (0171-314 8800) 5-8 November.