Matthew Bourne’s Sleeping Beauty (Tour – Liverpool)

To celebrate the year of ballet and his company’s 25th anniversary, award winning choreographer Matthew Bourne introduces his gothic re-vision of Sleeping Beauty. The famous fairy tale arrives at the Liverpool Empire Theatre this week during its World Tour.

Using the music of Tchaikovsky for the third time after re-visioning the famous Nutcracker and Swan Lake, Bourne returns with his latest recreation of Perrault’s ballet classic and timeless fairy tale. We follow the beautiful Aurora through her life as she is cursed to sleep for one hundred years, only able to awake through loves true kiss. This gothic romance tale introduces audiences to fairies, vampires and magic the whole family can fall in love with whilst introducing some unusual twists.

Hannah Vassallo plays the lead –  Aurora gracefully and the majestic Dominic North brings charm to the heroic Leo. Lez Brotherston creates simply magnificent sets and costume designs. As ever, Bourne’s famous choreography is stunning and of the highest of standards – providing the dancers with so much to work with and they all manage it with ease and grace.

The audience on the night I attended were captivated throughout and the show received a standing ovation. I’m not surprised as Bourne’s Sleeping Beauty has to be seen to be believed. The show is phenomenal and thoroughly deserves it’s reputation as Matthew’s most successful show.

– Emma Rhodes