Tchaikovsky: The Sleeping Beauty ***
Birmingham Royal Ballet, Mayflower Theatre, 31st January 2018
Fairy tale ballets don’t come with a higher classical pedigree than The Sleeping Beauty. Premiered in St Petersburg in 1890, it is the epitome of Imperial style and Sir Peter Wright’s 1984 production – created for Sadler’s Wells Royal Ballet, Birmingham Royal Ballet’s predecessor – is largely based on Marius Petipa and Lev Ivanov’s original choreography. Traditional and opulent in tone, it has stood the test of time well although, apart from some strong central performances, this opening night of its tour in Southampton didn’t always convince me that the work has a place of adoration in the company’s heart.
Momoko Hirata (Princess Aurora) and Mathias Dingman (Prince Florimund)
© Bill Cooper
Read the full review on Bachtrack.