"...a visually opulent, magical spectacle..." Martin Brisland

Mayflower Theatre has yet again proved why it is one of the most successful theatres in the country with a perfect performance of The Sleeping Beauty by the English National Ballet.

Even from seats in the circle area we were able to see all the sumptuous colours and costume detail. It is truly a visual feast. 

The Sleeping Beauty remains one of pop culture’s most famous fairytales, adapted numerous times with multiple movies, retellings, pantos and plays drawn from the over 700-year-old tale. 

The ballet adaptation was first performed in 1890 with music by the legendary Pyotr Ilyich Tchaikovsky .

This traditional and spectacular production of The Sleeping Beauty immerses you in a familiar story without a single word being spoken or sung. 

The large stage at Mayflower Theatre becomes a fairytale land from centuries ago, where curses are cast and spells are broken with true love's kiss. 

Sangeun Lee as Aurora in Sir Kenneth MacMillan's The Sleeping Beauty © Isabella Turolla

As the curtain rises we’re privy to Princess Aurora’s christening, with the whole court in attendance for this royal event. 

Regal costumes (designed by Nicholas Gerogiadis) set the tone with no detail overlooked. 

Each dancer has their moment on stage, delicately leaping in the air or balancing carefully on pointe. 

Of course, every fairytale must have a ‘baddie’ and the evil fairy Carabosse is heralded on stage by her evil minions, who half crawl-half dance around her.  

Carabosse herself resembles a mash-up of Queen Elizabeth I and the Queen of Hearts, with a magnificent black dress. 

After celebrating the birth of their beloved daughter, the King (Fabian Reimair) and Queen (Laura Hussey) are left distraught when the cruel Carabosse (James Streeter) curses the child. 

The Lilac Fairy (Anri Sugiura) introduces a clause… true love’s kiss will save Aurora (Emma Hawes) from her eternal slumber. 

After 16 years Aurora’s fate is drawing near and the crown searches for potential suitors. 

Seeing Carabosse’s trickery, the Lilac Fairy puts the rest of the kingdom to sleep, awaiting the salvation of their princess. Will Prince Désiré (Aitor Arrieta) be the one to break the curse?

Emma Hawes performs some incredibly sophisticated routines as Aurora.

English National Ballet in Sir Kenneth MacMillan's The Sleeping Beauty © Isabella Turolla
 
Her emotional depth, effortless serenity, and flexible physique were top-class, especially when paired with Arrieta’s impressively acrobatic displays.
Sugiura’s Lilac Fairy was another stand-out, emitting effortless elegance in her routines, neatly contrasting the heavy-handed and darkly dressed Carabosse. 

Sir Kenneth MacMillan’s choreography is exquisite and felt perfectly in-tune with the stirring and iconic Tchaikovsky score. Peter Farmer’s set designs are expansive, moody masterpieces. 

Nicholas Georgladis’ costume designs are sumptuous. There were around 130 costumes used. The evil Carabosse seems heavily inspired by Queen Elizabeth I with an enormous, ruffed collar, her signature red hair, high hairline, and a ghoulishly pale face. 

Conducted by Dominic Grier, the entire orchestra was note-perfect. 

Every single dancer was perfection personified. 
It was a visually opulent, magical spectacle that cast a spell on an appreciative audience. 

I would highly recommend it both to ballet enthusiasts and anyone wanting to try a ballet experience for the first time. 

The Sleeping Beauty continues until 29th November. Tickets from mayflower.org or 02380 711811