The packed Grand Opera House audience in Belfast rose to its feet at the end of the Royal Ballet's performance of Manon on Saturday night and roared its approval. After repeated full cast curtain calls, Sylvie Guillem, Jonathan Cope and Irek Mukhamedov came before the curtain again and again to prolonged cheers.

Based on the Abbe Prevost's novel (rather than Massenet's opera, though his music from other sources is used) Manon is one of the best ballets by the late great Kenneth MacMillan, famous for his many inventive and daring pas de deux. And what a cast! No matter what acrobatic feat she is performing, the technically-stunning Guillem never ceases to project Manon's emotions, whether these be awakening love, the struggle between growing love and the temptations of wealth, determination to repel unwanted advances or death from exhaustion while fleeing her pursuers. Cope partnered her splendidly as her poor student lover, his long legs accentuating his great leaps. Mukhamedov combined fine acting and superb dancing, winning laughter and wild applause for his drunk scene as Manon's pimping brother, partnering the enchanting Deborah Bull as his mistress with consumate control, though his staggering suggested he had lost every vestige of it.

Indeed, every member of the company and its many soloists danced and acted brilliantly. The wealth of detail in choreography and in Nicholas Georgiadis' wonderful period costumes and magnificent sets could continue to reveal something new after repeated viewings, while conductor Paul Murphy and the Ulster Orchestra ensured it sounded as good as it looked. An unforgettable evening.

Manon continues tonight, with the Ashton triple bill replacing it from tomorrow to Saturday.