Scottish Ballet - The Sleeping Beauty

Christmas time is probably best known as the season of pantomime and while Sleeping Beauty - the panto has been ripping up a storm at the Kings Theatre in Glasgow, I let go of tradition this year,  in favour of something a little more decadent and cultured in the form of Scottish Ballet's very own performance of The Sleeping Beauty.

Performed to Tchaikovsky's acclaimed and iconic score, Scottish Ballet presented a cutting edge and contemporary version of the original Sleeping Beauty adding in their own elements of comedy and the unconventional.

As usual the costumes were outstanding with quite a traditional tutu clad Princess Aurora to a stunning Red Riding Hood in her 1940's esque hooded dress in the final scenes.  The sets themselves were not to be outdone by the fashion with stunning backdrops, a Victorian glasshouse, a Russian garden party and art deco bar/club.  In every scene, there was something to capture your attention, not just the main characters but the acting from the ongoing scenes in the background but nothing was too much to divert your concentration from the story and the music that created the magical atmosphere in the theatre.

Photo taken from Scottish Ballet 100 days of sleeping beauty Blog

Somewhat scary the villainous witch Carabosse and her evil daughters brought an expected dark side to the performance juxtaposed perfectly with humour.  With their pointed ears, egg heads, swirly tails, trotters and multiple nipples (yes, nipples!), they were the perfect picture of mischief makers.  Their antics on stage were both hilarious and excitedly terrifying!

The Sleeping Beauty is the longest of any ballet performances I have been to see but I was so fascinated with the magic happening on stage, the time passes within the blink of an eye, quite literally in Aurora's case.

The tour is now very much in full swing and is travelling across Scotland and Newcastle, if you are interested in soaking up the enchantment of The Sleeping Beauty, you can book tickets at the following locations and dates:

Glasgow Theatre Royal (17-31 December)
Festival Theatre Edinburgh (11-14 January)
His Majesty's Theatre Aberdeen (18-21 January)
Eden Court Inverness (25-28 January)
Theatre Royal Newcastle (1-4 February)

Next up for Scottish Ballet in spring 2012 is Streetcar Named Desire.  I am so looking forward to it!

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