Matthew Bourne completes his trio of Tchaikovsky-scored ballets with the story of Aurora's century-long slumber, rendered in typically idiosyncratic style as a gothic fairy tale set between the Victorian era and the present day. Read more …
A brilliantly inventive night of storytelling ballet. Not for those who demand en-pointe turns and successions of athletic leeps. But if you like your fairystories dark – in the Twilight perhaps – then this is an evening which will sit in your memory for a long time after it has passed. And which you will want to re-visit.
The choreography in the ensemble moments is a joy, the storytelling mostly crystal clear (aside from a tricky patch in Act Three), the characterisation strong and the romance touching. Throw in a crowd-pleasing baby puppet and Bourne’s got another hit on his hands.
This Beauty, with broodingly handsome designs by Lez Brotherston transporting us from 1890 to 1911 and finally to the present day, is possibly the most accomplished work [Bourne] has done yet.
It’s fun and light-hearted, but as Bourne demonstrates, doesn’t have to compromise on quality, sincerity or quirkiness.
New Adventures: Matthew Bourne's Sleeping Beauty
Festival Theatre, Edinburgh from Tuesday November 27, 2012, until Saturday December 1, 2012. More info: http://www.edtheatres.com/festival
King's Theatre, Glasgow from Tuesday February 12, 2013, until Saturday February 16, 2013. More info: www.theambassadors.com/kings/
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