Beautiful performance of a classic tale

Nov 21 2008 by Michael Green, Chester Chronicle

FOLLOWING the huge success of The Sleeping Beauty revival in 2005, English National Ballet will once again perform MacMillan’s classic production from November 26-30 at the Liverpool Empire.

MacMillan’s production of The Sleeping Beauty opens as King Florestan and his Queen celebrate the christening of Princess Aurora. Their special guests are the fairy godmothers who bestow their magic gifts on the infant.

Just as the Lilac Fairy is to present her gift, the Fairy Carabosse, whose invitation has been overlooked by the master of ceremonies, arrives and takes her revenge by pronouncing that one day Aurora will prick her finger on a needle and die.

The Lilac Fairy intervenes with the promise that Aurora will not die but fall into a deep sleep from which she will be awakened after 100 years by the kiss of a prince.

The production follows the great Sleeping Beauty tradition and features MacMillan’s own contributions to the ballet including the Garland Waltz in Act I, the variations for Prince Désiré and Aurora in Act II, the journey to the castle and awakening, and the Jewels divertissement in Act III.

In 2005 The Sleeping Beauty was enjoyed by more than 100,000 people on tour and in London.

English National Ballet will perform the production with its full company of 67 international dancers. The full orchestra of English National Ballet will also perform under the direction of newly appointed music director Gavin Sutherland.

Dancing the roles of Aurora and Prince Florimund will be Thomas Edur and Agnes Oaks, Erina Takahashi, Dmitri Gruzdyev, Daria Klimentová, Fernanda Oliveira, Sarah McIlroy, Arionel Vargas. Debuting in the role of Prince Florimund will be Esteban Berlanga.

English National Ballet will present The Sleeping Beauty at the Liverpool Empire from November 26-30. Ring the box office on 0844 847 2525 or www.LiverpoolEmpire.org.uk