REVIEW | Matthew Bourne’s Sleeping Beauty, Sadler’s Wells
★★★
Reviewer - BECKY
Matthew Bourne’s Sleeping Beauty is a captivating gothic romance with a twist in its tale.
The New Adventures production of Sleeping Beauty has made its return to the Sadler’s Wells theatre for the Christmas season. This will be its 3rd run at this beautiful theatre before it moves onto its national tour running through until April. With beautiful contemporary-style dancing with ballet flairs choreographed by Sir Matthew Bourne himself, this show was a real treat.
The cast was stunning, with Ashley Shaw front-running as the lead Aurora and Andrew Monaghan as the central love interest and gamekeeper of the castle. Their connection shone throughout their performance. To watch a young girl blossom into a beautiful coming of age woman, and to fall in love in such an innocent way was charming to watch.
We all know the story of Sleeping Beauty, but Matthew Bourne takes this fairytale and adds a gothic, dark and almost creepy tone to it, with the addition of some different antagonists and creatures to keep the audience guessing. Fairies still remain one of the central mythical creatures and with a stunning ensemble of dancers to play them, each with their own interpretations of character was a welcome familiarity but again with a slight change in the way they were written.
Matthew Bourne returned to the music of Tchaikovsky to accompany the plot of his retelling of the story. He quotes that the music “becomes your script”. So, with that being said, the dances that were accompanying the orchestra were so fluid and hypnotically choreographed, you find yourself completely immersed with the characters really not wanting to take your eyes away. Those familiar with the Disney movie will appreciate some familiar songs if not well acquainted with the original Tchaikovsky score so don’t worry there’s something for everyone in there!
Paris Fitzpatrick did a convincing job as the not-so-well-known Villain of Caradoc, the son of the dark fairy Carabosse. It was interesting to watch a completely different villainous backstory unfold than we are used to as well as being introduced to another hero in the tale, Count Lilac, portrayed by Dominic North.
The first half was definitely my highlight, the lighter tones accompanied by Lez Brotherston’s breathtaking costume and set design. He brilliantly brings the Victoria era straight through to the Edwardian era and to present day to life with little nuances, colour schemes and costumes. The way the clothing on the dancers flowed with each and every movement added an extra little special detailing. One specific scene in the 2nd half with an outfit change for Aurora was particularly spectacular.
Some of the darker tones in the second half took a while to get used to and in ways, it became quite violent, which was something I hadn’t seen, but with an open mind, the ending then made it all worth the watch.
Matthew Bourne's Sleeping Beauty is a welcome retelling of the classic tale and is playing at the Sadler’s Wells theatre until the 15th of January! Book your tickets now!
*Disclaimer: AD | Gifted Tickets
