SLEEPING Beauty is, says Sir Matthew Bourne, “all about the power of love”. Why else would a guy wait 100 years to be with his girl again?
In Bourne’s acclaimed re-working of the ballet classic, exquisitely performed by his New Adventures company, the guy in question is a royal palace gamekeeper called Leo. The girl is Aurora, a spirited princess, cursed by a dark fairy, Carabosse, hell-bent on revenge.
Spanning from the late 1800s to the present, this gothic romance embraces the myths and symbolism of fairies, which both protect and attack Aurora, from birth to her coming of age. When Aurora falls into her 100-year slumber, will it be Carabosse’s evil son Caradoc or lovesick Leo at her side when she awakens?
This is a supernatural love story, in a world of magic, fairies and vampires, brought beautifully to life by Bourne’s dazzling choreography, to the sublime Tchaikovsky score. The dance styles evolve with the times in each act - classical ballet to waltz, then more free-style and sensual - as the story takes us from the late Victorian era to the golden Edwardian summer of 1911, and beyond.
Set and costume designer Lez Brotherston’s gorgeous costumes reflect the times too, with the glorious addition of feathers and wings.
This is the last of Bourne’s trilogy of Tchaikovsky ballets and, as with his Swan Lake and Nutcracker, it’s a show with twists. “Who knew there was a vampire in Sleeping Beauty?” said the chap next to me.
While it respects the original tale, this Sleeping Beauty can be enjoyed by those who may be put off by the idea of a ballet with a classical score. It has plenty of Bourne’s trademark humour, not least when the cheeky baby Aurora, a lovely puppetry performance, runs rings around the servants in Act 1.
The terrific cast are gifted actors as well as world-class dancers, each bringing their own character to life with subtle comic movements and facial expressions.
Katrina Lyndon and Stephen Murray were excellent as adorable free spirits Aurora and Leo. Their Rose Adagio, the show’s moving, playful love duet, set the scene for their roller coaster love story.
Dominic North and Paris Fitzpatrick were both brilliant as fairy king Count Lilac and brooding Caradoc. I realised I was literally on the edge of my seat as their good vs evil battle reached its gripping conclusion.
Great performances too from the fairy ensemble, Stephanie Billers and Andrew Monaghan as Queen Eleanor and King Benedict, Sophia Hurdley as Aurora's nanny, the servants and the excellent puppeteers. A must-see treat.
* Runs until Saturday.
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