Matthew Bourne’s Sleeping Beauty playing at Sadler Well’s Theatre
A show from dance genius Matthew Bourne has become a highlight of every Christmas season.
This year we have Sleeping Beauty, a version of the fairy tale like nothing you have ever seen before, writes Christopher Walker.
Bourne is not afraid to take liberties with the original, even throwing in the odd vampire. And in a crucial plot twist being bitten by a vampire is a good thing in this gothic romance.
It is uber stylish thanks to outstanding costumes and sets by Lez Brotherston.
The three periods in this production – Victorian, Edwardian and the present day – are all accompanied with appropriate costume changes.
The Edwardian period is particularly striking, Lez seems inspired by photographs of the pre-revolutionary Russian court.
The team of fairies are equally sleek in their funky adaptations of 18th century ball dress. And a lot of the best choreography is also given to them, and their King (the excellent Dominic North).
The principal character Princess Aurora is here reimagined as a rebellious foster child danced with vigour by Ashley Shaw.
She of course spurns all appropriate suitors and falls for Leo, a cheekily boisterous Andrew Monaghan.
This Prince Charming is an upwardly mobile gamekeeper (cue long boots) but seems to also fulfil the role of palace gardener with a large pair of shears. No doubt they come in handy later with all those thorns.
In true Christmas pantomime fashion it is the villain who steals the show, however. Jackson Fisch is simply outstanding as the wicked fairy Carabosse and her son Caradoc.
In Bourne’s version Caradoc has kidnapped Aurora and intends to sacrifice her at their wedding to avenge the death of his wronged mother.
A clever touch is when he strips off to reveal a tattooed torso with Avenge in capital letters. Well Bourne does call it a “gothic romance.”
One other rival for stealing the show is the puppet version of baby Aurora.
Overall it feels like Lady Chatterley’s Lover meets Interview with a Vampire.
I loved it.
Go to www.sadlerswells.com/whats-on/matthew-bournes-sleeping-beauty-new-adventures/
Picture: Matthew Bourne’s Sleeping Beauty featuring New Adventures dancers, Paris Fitzpatrick and Ashley Shaw Picture: Johan Persson
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