Bristol Old Vic stages gender-swap Sleeping Beauty

A radical new musical version of Sleeping Beauty will play at the Bristol Old Vic this Christmas.

Directed by Sally Cookson, whose production of Jane Eyre embarks on a national tour later this year, Sleeping Beauty promises to bring the fairytale "bang up to date".

Devised by the company, it will see roles reversed with Beauty cast as a male who is awoken by a female 'prince', leading to a "rite of passage adventure".

Cookson will reunite with her regular creative team of composer Benji Bower, dramaturg Adam Peck, designer Michael Vale and costume designer Katie Sykes.

Cookson's other credits for Bristol Old Vic include Treasure Island (2011), Peter Pan (2012), and Jane Eyre (2013).

Running from 27 November 2015 to 16 January 2016, Sleeping Beauty will take Bristol Old Vic into its 250th anniversary year.

The venue is more than half way through a major redevelopment, due to be completed next year. Currently running, until 7 March, is The Life and Times of Fanny Hill starring Caroline Quentin.