Sleeping Beauty becomes a ballet masterpiece

A painting depicting 'Sleeping Beauty' by Edward Coley Burne-JonesA world premiere of the timeless classic Sleeping Beauty has been reformed into a captivating ballet masterwork by the award-winning choreographer Matthew Bourne. His troubling new production has been described as “a gothic romance; a supernatural love story that even the passage of time can not hinder”.

In 1980 the enduring classic tale of a girl cursed to sleep for one hundred years was first revolutionised into ballet. Now, Bourne’s story commences at heroine Aurora’s christening where fairies and vampires feed on gothic imaginations. Bourne’s adaptation rebels against the idea of love at first sight. He claims once Sleeping Beauty goes to sleep nothing more happens after that. His haunting production is a Gothic romance for all ages, and especially for those who feast on dark, twisted love.

Bourne is widely known to be one of the UK’S best choreographers, receiving multiple nominations and awards including the Laurence Olivier and Tony award. He started training in dance at the age of 22 and went on to dance professionally for 14 years. Sadler’s Wells have decided to host talks throughout the year to look at aspects of his work and his background to celebrate the 25 years of Matthew’s Company New Adventures. The talk features Alistair Spalding talking to him about his newest piece, Sleeping Beauty, and his prospects and ideas for New Adventures.

Bourne’s enchanting Sleeping Beauty will feature designs from Olivier award winners Lez Brotherston (set and costumes), Paul Constable (lighting) and sound design by Paul Groothuis, and brings the audience into the core of his work, leaving them dazzled by the alluring movement.

Bourne is renowned for his radical, entertaining updates of classic work and his new version of Sleeping Beauty promises to be fantastic, like his previous versions of Swan Lake and the Nutcracker.

The running time of Sleeping Beauty is approximately 2 hours and 20 minutes, with ticket prices ranging from £12 to £60. Family tickets cost £140. This enticing classic is running from Tuesday 4th December to Wednesday 26th January 2013 at Sadler’s Wells, Roseberry Avenue.

After one of the finest nights of ballet to remember, why not unwind properly with one of Alessandro’s world-famous classic Martinis over in our DUKES Bar?