26. Matthew Bourne's SLEEPING BEAUTY. Katrina Lyndon (Aurora). Photo by Johan Persson
Matthew Bourne’s, ‘Sleeping Beauty’ is a spell binding, sumptuous production full of drama, beauty and humour as well as portraying the themes of good versus evil, old against new.
This is not a stage version of the 1959 Disney film so no Maleficent here but instead the evil fairy Carabosse who appears in the classic fairy tale.
There is a feeling of nostalgia, however, for the old Disney films as the story is beamed onto the curtain in a Storybook Regular style font.
King Benedict (Dominic North) and Queen Eleanor (Kayla Callymore) have not been blessed with an heir and so Carabosse (Ben Brown) grants them a child who is delivered to the palace in a basket during a fierce thunderstorm.
Time moves on slightly and we are invited into the opulent palace where the baby Aurora - a life size puppet brilliantly operated by a puppeteer - is giving the staff the run around as they attempt to stop her crawling too far although she does manage to show her skill at climbing - no giveaways here!
The audience really showed their appreciation during this scene due to the humorous antics on stage.
Matthew Bourne's SLEEPING BEAUTY. Ashley Shaw (Aurora), and company. Photo by Johan Persson
The next part of the story involves six fairies appearing gracefully between two huge glass windows giving the impression of flying as they stand on a moving section of the stage.
They in turn bestow their gifts on Aurora and also perform a solo dance, spritish in nature, whilst expressing their personality.
Dressed in shades of blues, golds and purples and the addition of layers of feathers to the skirts and jackets made their costumes almost take flight.
This happy scene is interrupted by the arrival of Carabosse dressed in red flagged by her two servants wearing black, feather breeches.
She is furious that the King did not show his gratitude to her for giving them a child and she reaps revenge by cursing the princess.
Matthew Bourne's SLEEPING BEAUTY. Paris Fitzpatrick (Carabosse), Perreira De Jesus Franque & Ben Brown (attendants).
Photo by Johan Persson
The truth of what will happen in the future is played out on stage by Aurora dancing with a young man both wearing featureless masks
Time moves on and Aurora (Cordelia Braithwaite) has fallen in love with the palace game keeper (Stephen Murray).
Their young love reminded me of Shakespeare’s, ‘Romeo and Juliet’, although this time it is the love story between a princess and a commoner.
Matthew Bourne's SLEEPING BEAUTY. Ashley Shaw (Aurora), Andrew Monaghan (Leo). Photo by Johan Persson
A garden party is given for Aurora to celebrate her 21st birthday. It is an idyllic setting.
The guests are dressed in light cream, the palace is visible in the distance, red rose bushes are in full bloom, but dominating the set is a large statue of a weeping angel perhaps signifying the impending doom which will be inflicted on the royal family.
The sets designed by Lez Brotherston are grand and theatrical.
One of my favourite scenes was the first appearance of the fairies.
A giant full moon was lit brightly behind the glass doors whilst mist floated in carpeting the stage.
The costumes also designed by Lez Brotherston were stunning and moved beautifully with the dancers.
This is not a traditional ballet but instead the dancing is more modern and expressive in style.
One of the highlights was when Aurora dances with the gamekeeper at her party which was a joy to behold, but there are so many memorable and outstanding moments that this show will leave you in awe.
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