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.
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