SLEEPING BEAUTY by Bourne, , Director and Choreographer – Matthew Bourne, Designer – Lez Brotherston, Lighting – Paule Constable, New Adventures, Theatre Royal, Plymouth, 2022, Credit: Johan Persson/
Gothic Romance Sleeping Beauty seen through the creative vision of Sir Matthew Bourne is celebrating its 10th-anniversary revival ballet production. From the fairies entertaining baby Aurora to the floating Sleeping Beauty behind the locked gates each twist and turn brings a new charm to the audience.
Baby Aurora is an absolute delight to watch. The puppetry skills are superb. The black silhouettes cast by the puppeteers are slightly visible from behind the baby. However, they add to the atmosphere of the gothic staging. The Baby’s mannerisms and characteristics are incredibly life and watching her outwit the butlers and nannies was hilarious.
SLEEPING BEAUTY by Bourne, , Director and Choreographer – Matthew Bourne, Designer – Lez Brotherston, Lighting – Paule Constable, New Adventures, Theatre Royal, Plymouth, 2022, Credit: Johan Persson/
Sleeping Beauty’s storyline follows the familiar fairy-tale story. Aurora falls in love with Leo, the Royal Gamekeeper (Stephen Murray). On the day in which she comes of age Carabosse (Paris Fitzpatrick) attends her party and finds a way to trick Aurora into touching the thorn of a beautiful blue rose. Sending her into a dreamland trance for one hundred years.
Cordelia Braithwaite performs with ease and perfection the role of coming-of-age Aurora. Her incredible stage presence sweeps along her suitors and family with grace, captivating the audience at the same time. As we watch her demise in horror and await her return one hundred years later.
Lez Brotherston set and costume designer brings gothic horror fantasy to stage with bold and dramatic effects. From the enormous beautiful moonlit sky to the eerie forest locked behind the large iron gates. I was especially impressed with the flowing dresses worn by the female fairies.
SLEEPING BEAUTY by Bourne, , Director and Choreographer – Matthew Bourne, Designer – Lez Brotherston, Lighting – Paule Constable, New Adventures, Theatre Royal, Plymouth, 2022, Credit: Johan Persson/
Director Matthew Bourne yet again succeeds in adding a twist to a well known fairytale and creates a lasting impression on audiences accompanied by Tchaikovsky’s timeless musical score brining the romance, humour and dark gothic villainy to life.
For further information on this touring production and future performances at the Mayflower Theatre Southampton please use the links below.
Looking back at my original biography section on here I can see how far my writing life has gone. With two Edinburgh Fringe seasons behind me and a huge variety of Theatres visited things have grown beyond my wildest dreams.
I now write for my own blog, London Theatre Reviews and Broadway Baby. On top of this I am an Off West End Senior Assessor and throughout lockdown helped turn the Oncomm into a success and watched Scenesaver become a huge success. Recently I was on the panel to vote for Scenesaver production awards. It has been an amazing journey and I am looking forward to the Theatres reopening next week (from 17th May 2021). My original introduction is underneath as a reminder to myself of just how far I have come. Long may it continue.
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I am an English graduate who loves the arts. However, I do battle with dyslexia and when I make any errors it is not deliberate. I am a fourty something, mother of 4 who wants to try my hand at writing reviews. All blogged reviews are my personal opinions. Any event blogged I will have personally attended. If you like my work please feel free to share it or if you would like a review written please message me on elaine_chapman@rocketmail.com
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