Dance review: Matthew Bourne’s Sleeping Beauty, Edinburgh Festival Theatre
Matthew Bourne’s Sleeping Beauty
Edinburgh Festival Theatre
Star rating: * * * *
Although presented in a fairy-tale package, complete with a “Once upon a time…” opening and “…happily ever after” conclusion, we’re taken in a whole new direction in the middle. Tapping into the current zeitgeist, Bourne has introduced a vampire element, not only allowing Aurora’s love interest to stay alive during her 100 year sleep, but paving the way for a dramatic sacrifice scene.
Which may sound a little full-on, but this is Matthew Bourne remember, Britain’s most popular choreographer – and he’s not about to lose that title anytime soon. Sleeping Beauty does exactly what his previous works have done – entertain in an intelligent yet easily digestible way, thus bringing dance to a far wider audience than any other company can reach.
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Hide AdHaving once again teamed up with set and costume designer, Lez Brotherston, Bourne’s latest production looks ravishing – taking us from the opulence of a late 19th-century country manor to the deep red velvet of a vampire’s lair.
The choreography in the ensemble moments is a joy, the storytelling mostly crystal clear (aside from a tricky patch in Act Three), the characterisation strong and the romance touching. Throw in a crowd-pleasing baby puppet and Bourne’s got another hit on his hands.