Matthew Bourne’s Sleeping Beauty, Nottingham Theatre Royal

This is a stunning ballet performance with a new, lavish, relevant take on the traditional story.

It’s far from the classic version of the Sleeping Beauty story, but neither passive nor brash – yet it’s comfortable in the bounds of the well-known Tchaikovsky composition.

It’s an eye-opener for visitors to the Theatre Royal until Friday, with some neat touches and am accomplished performance thanks to spot-on choreography.

Baby Aurora sets the tone from the start, the realistic puppet moving around her crib and tapping her hand knowingly to the music as she watches the good fairies dance. After the good, inevitably, comes the bad. The dark fairy casts the spell that seals the princess’s fate.

From then on it’s an energetic, gothic version of the traditional story with twists and turns including a vampire, with the unexpected twist ending the first half thrilling the opening night full house.

As you would expect from a Matthew Bourne production, there are several new characters which owe nothing to Disney, existing tales or earlier ballet productions. Yet this remains faithful and true to a story that enjoys celebrated versions, forms and formats around the world.

Over several distinctive scenes, revealed as layers throughout the show, linked with narrative prose beamed onto the background to move the action forward. Moving from nursery to a garden party and the palace gates, little was left to the imagination.

The dancing likewise. It’s a very accessible production and easy to follow, despite those unexpected twists which differentiate it to all that’s gone before.

Less traditional ballet we find the stage graced by modern dance, albeit a disciplined portrayal by more than a dozen key members of the company – although you’ll see some new dancers depending on the performance. From fairy dancers in traditional ballet garb through to the strongest characters in their heavy and distinctive costumes.

The show lends itself well to the special effects sprinkled throughout, from atmospheric mist-filled scenes through to loud and striking thunderstorms. Link this with some amazing character performances that could send a shiver down the spine of younger members of the audience, you’ll take away a memory that will last as long as the old, old story itself.

Whoever forgot to invite the evil Carabosse to the family christening has a lot to answer for. But, of course, they all live happily ever after, with the “baby” puppet making another appearance right at the end – but this was the result of the Sleeping Beauty’s relationship with her “handsome prince”, Leo, the royal gamekeeper.

ELO 2016 tour at the Motorpoint Arena, Nottingham: review and set list

Jeff Lynne's Electric Light Orchestra was a "show to remember" at the Motorpoint Arena in Nottingham

This gig was astonishing. There's no other way to describe the spectacle that Nottingham witnessed.

This wasn't the last vestiges of a rock dinosaur looking for an elephantine graveyard.

This was a breath of life, fresh air on an evening that might just herald the start of summer.

Jeff Lynne brought his new incarnation of ELO to the Arena filled the place.

Big music, big crowd – huge talent.

From the off the man behind some of the biggest sounds of the 70s and 80s showed us exactly why he's regarded with such reverence.

It was astonishing because some of us younger ones never thought we'd get to see one of the biggest bands in rock history in the flesh. Jeff managed something new with the Travelling Wilburys but this was a welcome return what he does best. Singer, composer, songwriter, arranger, musician and producer – no one could deny he's got the lot.

And it was a sell-out crowd. I've never seen the Arena packed to the rafters like this and if you closed off one ear, the knowledgeable and appreciative audience could be heard echoing every syllable of every song,

Yet this was more than a love-in. Each and every number was a hit… a tune we knew, a lyric we love and a riff to grasp hold of.

The new album Alone in the Universe brings something fresh to the perfectly-executed back-catalogue. You may have heard When I was a Boy on the radio, and it's one of the strongest tracks on his latest release.

But of course, it's those hits from Radio 2 of days gone by that really get the crowd moving.

We worked our way through a couple of tunes from Discovery, Out of the Blue and Eldorado, and then Rock Aria sets the Arena alight. With its rock opera overtones, it took the concert to a new level.

The string trio brought an authentic touch, along with original keyboard player Richard Tandy in the mix as well as talented backing singers and a band that really cut the ice.

ELO has a distinctive blend of rock, pop and classical music, and enjoyed 26 UK Top 40 singles and sold more than 50 million records worldwide.

Living Thing, Turn to Stone, Sweet Talking Woman and Mr Blue Sky may have been the best-known tunes on the night but every song was a hit, each tune highlight. 

Wonderful images on the big screens and an amazing light show, particularly during Secret Messages, from the album of the same name, made this a show to remember,

Jeff Lynne may have achieved fame for landing a UFO at venues in the 70s and 80s, he's enhanced his reputation with this retrospective.

JEFF LYNNE'S ELO UK TOUR 2016 SET LIST FROM NOTTINGHAM CONCERT

Tightrope
Evil Woman
Showdown
All Over The World
When I Was A Boy
Living Thing
Ain't It a Drag
Can't Get It Out Of My Head
Rock Aria
When Night Comes
Secret Messages
Steppin' Out
Shine a Little Love
Wild West Hero
Telephone Line
Turn to Stone
Don't Bring Me Down
Sweet Talkin' Woman
Mr Blue Sky
Roll Over Beethoven