★★★★☆

Don Quixote is one of those ballets guaranteed – if performed well – to send you out of the theatre smiling. Carlos Acosta has created a version especially for Birmingham Royal Ballet, the company he now directs.

It is an ideal ballet for someone who is new to the art form. I was accompanied by a friend who had never seen a ballet before, and she was duly impressed. It is hard not to love Tim Hatley’s pretty costumes and atmospheric sets, and Peter Mumford’s lighting is especially effective, particularly in the windmill scene.

The story is the weakest part of the ballet: Don Quixote travels in search of Dulcinea, his dream Lady, while encountering lovers Kitri and Basilio and assorted other characters. Best then, to put aside the story and just let the abundance of glorious dancing wash over you.

On opening night Momoko Hirata was a fine Kitri, light and precise (she is tiny, so must be a joy to partner) with secure balances and lovely port de bras. She brings a real sense of mischief and fun to the role. Her Basilio was the wonderful Mathias Dingman, who oozes masculinity and has a fine stage presence. He was almost outdanced by Brandon Lawrence as the lead matador, who performed all his solos with a sure technique along with supreme self-mocking arrogance.

There are some wild dances from a band of gypsies (they look a lot sexier than those in Ashton’s The Two Pigeons) and a sweet magic garden scene, where Tzu-Chao Chou camped up the role of Amour. Usually danced by a woman, in this version it is a man who tackles the difficult solos, and Chou coped admirably with the fiendish petit batterie.

Unusually, this ballet contains quite a lot of oohing and aahing from all the dancers. It adds to the atmosphere on the stage and creates a real flavour of Spain, though purists may think it an unnecessary addition.

The joyful music by Minkus – such an underrated composer – was beautifully perform by the Royal Ballet Sinfonia, conducted by Paul Murphy. If you want a ballet filled with sunshine, the triumph of true love and a wealth of superb dancing, then Carlos Acosta’s interpretation of Cervantes’ classic is just the ticket.

Don Quixote is at Sadler’s Wells Theatre until 9 July