Sleeping Beauty Set for Fairytale Transfer???

A new musical version of Sleeping Beauty premieres at Dublin’s Gaiety Theatre this month (29 May 2008, previews from 26 May), prior to a speculated West End transfer. Film director John Ward takes the helm and veteran choreographer Arlene Phillips – whose credits include Starlight Express, Grease and The Sound of Music, not to mention Hot Gossip and Strictly Come Dancing – is also attached.

The show is written by Trisha Ward, who also happens to be the sister of director John, with whom she co-founded Reckless Films, the company that’s producing Sleeping Beauty. In a plot that deviates from the original story, the sibling team have relocated the action to the village of ‘Snuzzzze’, where young librarian Rosie uncovers some dark truths after finding a dusty old copy of the famous fairytale.

The principal cast, recently announced on the show’s official website, is led by Leanne Moore, winner of last year’s Irish TV talent show You’re a Star. Other members include former Red Dwarf actor Danny John-Jules, and Ria Jones, whose musical credits include Cats, Chess, and Les Misérables.

The production is known to have already hit technical difficulties, leading to a postponement of the original opening date of 14 May 2008. Despite this, producers confidently proclaim on the website that, subsequent to a short run at the Gaiety (until 20 June 2008), the West End is their intended destination.