Birmingham Hippodrome – until Saturday 11th February 2023
Reviewed by Amarjeet Singh
5*****
Matthew Bourne has an astounding way of reimagining and recreating stories in ways in which are truly mind-blowing, and his production of Sleeping Beauty does not disappoint. It’s been 10 years since its premiere at Sadler’s Wells, when it became the fastest selling production in the company’s history, and it’s now established as a firm favourite in his New Adventures repertoire. Sleeping Beauty is enchanting and so so clever, and it has now come to sprinkle its magic at The Birmingham Hippodrome.
The basic story is as it should be. A royal couple produce a much longed-for baby girl, but they are then cursed by a spiteful and vengeful bad fairy, Carabosse. The new-born is destined to die by pricking her finger. Some good fairies intervene and lessen the curse to that of a deep sleep rather than death, and the curse can be lifted by true loves kiss. The baby, Princess Aurora then sleeps for 100 years until true love arrives and awakens her with a kiss.
But here’s where Bourne’s brilliance comes into force. In his gothic twist, there is a change of era. The princess pricks her finger on a black rose not a spindle. The good fairies that bestow blessings on baby Aurora and their King, are vampires. Princess Aurora has an established relationship with ‘true loves kiss’ beforehand, so it’s not some creepy guy finding a woman in the woods and planting one on her. And, without wanting to add any spoilers…look out for the baby.
Bourne’s production of Sleeping Beauty is quirky, thought provoking and modern in staging, characterisation and choreography. Ashley Shaw as Princess Aurora was mesmerising. She played the lead with a deeply sensual and playful quality which melded well with her true love, Gardener Leo, played by Andrew Monaghan. They very quickly established their romantic connection, and this continued throughout the performance. Ben Brown played the complicated Carabosse and her son to perfection. Revenge filled and yet wanting Aurora for himself, he was a joy to behold.
This production has the most innovative and effective sets, containing mirrors, moon, forests and movement, these were interchanged seamlessly and never failed to stun. The dancing was sublime. A standout for me was when Aurora refused to die/sleep, prancing and leaping and struggling like a toddler fighting extreme weariness. That was the chorography at its best.
I urge you to watch Matthew Bourne’s Sleeping Beauty as you will be transported into a magical world of fairies and vampires, where what you know of this timeless tale is flipped upside-down, creating a spectacular, supernatural love story that stays with you long after the curtain has come down.