Arts

Australian Ballet Sell-Out Returning To The Adelaide Festival Centre

Ballet lovers, this one’s for you! Following sell-out seasons in Melbourne, Sydney and Brisbane, David McAllister’s The Sleeping Beauty is coming to Adelaide!

Ballet lovers, this one’s for you! Following sell-out seasons in Melbourne, Sydney and Brisbane, David McAllister’s The Sleeping Beauty is coming to Adelaide!

We’re sure you may be aware of the enchanting story line that is Sleeping Beauty, but in case not, here it is. Princess Aurora is doomed from infancy to fatally prick her finger on her 16th birthday. When the day arrives, she is saved from the curse of the vengeful Carabosse by her champion the Lilac Fairy, who lulls the kingdom into a deep slumber. When the lonely Prince Désiré learns of Aurora’s fate, he comes to her rescue with a redemptive kiss of true love. The couple celebrate their wedding and coronation in the light and bustle of the revived palace, with a glittering masked ball attended by fairies, bluebirds and familiar friends from the pages of Grimm fairy tales.

Adelaide audiences will be enchanted by a world of elegant courtiers, charming fairies and colourful storybook characters when The Sleeping Beauty makes its South Australian debut and marks The Australian Ballet’s return to Adelaide Festival Centre from 6 to 12 July.

The Adelaide Symphony Orchestra will bring the story to life with Piotr Ilyich Tchaikovsky’s music, which has been labelled as one of the greatest ballet scores of all time.

This production by The Australian Ballet’s artistic director David McAllister tells the beloved story of Princess Aurora, who pricks her finger on a spindle and falls into a deep sleep, which can only be broken by true love’s kiss.

“We are beyond words excited to be returning to Adelaide with The Sleeping Beauty this season,” says David McAllister.

“The Australian Ballet has been performing in Adelaide since 1962 and I’m delighted to finally be showcasing The Sleeping Beauty. The Gala Spectacular last year was such an incredible experience, but this year we’re delighted to be returning to the Adelaide Festival Centre to transport Adelaide audiences into the magical dream that is The Sleeping Beauty. Performing in Adelaide is one of the highlights of the company’s yearly program, especially for our dancers who hail from Adelaide, it’s such a special experience for them too”.

The Australian Ballet Executive Director, Libby Christie says The Sleeping Beauty is integrated into the inaugural Adelaide Dance Festival.

“We’re thrilled to be involved in the first Adelaide festival dedicated to the art form of dance. We look forward celebrating the creativity of our company and our peers with the community as a part of the festival.”

McAllister’s interpretation remains faithful to the spirit of the original choreography by the 19th-century master Marius Petipa. Audiences will be thrilled by the famously challenging balances of Princess Aurora’s Rose Adage, her romantic wedding grand pas de deux with the Prince and the lively variations of the couple’s storybook friends.

Theatre designer Gabriela Tylesova has captivated audiences around the world with her richly imaginative sets and costumes and has been honoured with multiple Helpmann and Green Room Awards. Her designs for The Sleeping Beauty evoke the splendour of a Louis XIV court; her opulent gilded sets frame hundreds of colourful costumes, each with the style and detail of haute couture. Satin, tulle and silk are adorned with beads and faux fur, sequins and braid, crystals and cut-out lace.

In collaboration with Marius Petipa, Tchaikovsky composed The Sleeping Beauty in an inspired 40 days. His score propels the action while mirroring the inner workings of central characters, a pioneering technique which adds subtle layers of complexity to the story. His orchestration and unusual instrumentations were ground breaking for their time and inspired other great composers in years to come.

This production is the first full-length work by The Australian Ballet’s Artistic Director David McAllister; he considers creating The Sleeping Beauty in 2015 the crowning moment of his career. In 2018, McAllister enters his 17th year as artistic director of The Australian Ballet, following an 18-year career as a dancer in the company.

We are so excited to see these beautiful ballerinas in action!

And if you are looking for something perfcet for the kids, The Australian Ballet have composed a shorter, more engaging performance of The Sleeping Beauty, designed for younger children. For more information about this performance click here. 

Please see all ticket Information below:

ADELAIDE
6 to 12 JULY
Festival Theatre, Adelaide Festival Centre
with Adelaide Symphony Orchestra

BOOKINGS
australianballet.com.au

CHILDREN’S PERFORMANCE BOOKINGS:

https://australianballet.com.au/event/once-upon-a-time-the-sleeping-beauty#buy-tickets/2202

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

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