"We are asked to believe that two of the film's four male principals can be contemplating deceit, frame-ups and cold-blooded murder," she said.

Mr. Mukhamedov's absence on this tour is "no problem, although it gives the other male principals a heavier load," he said.

In late Petipa ballets like this one, the male principals tend to disappear into the scenery.

But too often the two male principals merely lurch about like Caligari-esque golems, without playing their lurching for laughs.

Yet such guests also pointed up the shortage of male principals for classical roles or, at least, tall ones who know how to partner.

The three male principals were hardly less satisfactory in voice and nothing less than intimidating in physical dimensions.

Sudlow was paid a wage less than that of male principals.

The ballet's two women are initially seen in constant canons, as are later the two male principals.

What Mr. Grigorovich has done is to reverse the roles of the male principals.

It is clear that Mr. Vinogradov continues to promote young talent, although the male principals still lag behind the women.