Mayflower Theatre, Southampton – until 18 March 2023
Reviewed by Gemma Gibson
5*****
I have always been a big fan of Matthew Bourne and New Adventures, but this ballet adaptation of Sleeping Beauty has to be one of my favourites.
Once again the company has taken a tale everyone knows and loves and put its stamp on it.
Fairies, vampires, magic, romance, humour – Matthew Bourne’s Sleeping Beauty has it all.
The ballet follows the ‘good versus evil’ fairytale that everyone knows and loves – dark magic puts Princess Aurora to sleep and only true love’s kiss will wake her from slumber – but, of course, there are twists, turns and even new characters along the way.
The choreography in this supernatural tale is flawless throughout. Each routine takes us through the story clearly and with ease, and from explosive jumps to complex lifts and fluid floorwork, it’s so impressive what these dancers can do.
Ballets can be criticised for being too hard to understand but New Adventures makes it easy. Even the scenes of running around told a story, while looking balletic and beautiful.
This gothic romance was cast exceptionally well, each dancer expertly embodying their character. Princess Aurora, played by Cordelia Braithwaite, was perfection, dancing alongside Paris Fitzpatrick as Count Lilac, King of the Fairies and audience favourite, Stephen Murray, the royal gamekeeper, and Ben Brown, villain of the night.
Split into four acts, the ballet was simple to follow as it cleverly transported us through time – blasting through the Edwardian era to present day. There was the baby Aurora in 1890, Aurora coming of age in 1911, Aurora waking up in 2011, and by Act Four – ‘Yesterday’ – we’re desperate to find out if the sleeping beauty will ever find true love again.
Featuring the present day like this was something I’d never experienced in a ballet – yet another example of Matthew Bourne’s work diverting from the norm, the traditional narrative.
There are so many scenes that deserve a mention, but the introduction to the fairies has to be one of my favourite parts. Each with their own character and movement, complete with enchanting costume and make up, it was so much fun watching each fairy’s solo across the stage entertaining both us and baby Aurora.
Scenes exposing the playful and mesmerising chemistry between Princess Aurora and the gamekeeper was by far an audience favourite on opening night.
Another wonderful scene for me is the celebrations for Aurora’s 21st, as she gets swept, twirled and lifted around the stage in search for a suitor. An energetic and emotional performance, complimented by pastel colours, a stunning backdrop, and dancers dressed in regal white.
On that note, the set, music and costume throughout is simply breathtaking, enhancing the progression and magic of the story.
Matthew Bourne’s Sleeping Beauty has reawakened and is a must watch.