Lively Grace and Dashing Delicacy

Eilis Small as The Lilac Fairy in The Sleeping Beauty. Photo credit Tristram Kenton.

Sleeping Beauty Dreams by Tchaikovsky, Birmingham Royal Ballet, The Hippodrome, Birmingham. 25 February 2024.

Review by Ann Cee.

Sleeping Beauty Dreams cast a delectable spell at the Birmingham Hippodrome last night.  This sweet, upbeat, adaptation of Sir Peter Wright’s enchanting production brought together dancers of all ages from across the region to dance with four of Birmingham Royal Ballet’s dancers: Beatrice Parma (Princess Aurora), Tzu-Chao Chou (Prince Florimund), Rory Mackay (Master of Ceremonies) and Jonathan Payn (King Florestan).

With choreography by the wonderful team of Petipa, Ivanov, and Wright, the show delivered a delightful world of fairytale kings, queens, fairies, cavaliers, courtiers and nymphs in a multitude of glitzy dresses and outfits.  It was a wonderfully whimsical world of pretty charm and grace despite the worst of intentions of the wicked Fairy Carabosse (Vivienne Kibble).

The large cast of dancers included many talented young dancers and of the professional dancers, Beatrice Parma proved herself to be the queen of pristine pirouettes in a beautiful portrayal of the bewitched princess.  There were also four wonderful white cats, two bright blue birds, a wild wolf and a lively red riding hood putting on a fun show in the grand finale.  

A memorable evening, full of dreaminess, lightness and youthful promise, as well as a generous appearance on stage at the end by the fabulous Carlos Acosta CBE, Director, Birmingham Royal Ballet.

Lovely!

Discover more about the Birmingham Royal Ballet: https://www.brb.org.uk/

See what's on at the Birmingham Hippodrome: https://www.birminghamhippodrome.com/