So it’s that time of year again ‘ Oh we’re
off on a family outing to go to the theatre… I wonder what we’re going to see?
Right, Sadlers Well’s, so far so good, very well known respectable theatre that
one. Now, I wonder what we’re going to see… The ballet? The ballet? The BALLET????? You mean where nobody talks for three sodding
hours and I have to pretend to be impressed because some lithe little ballerina
can put her legs behind her head?’ This is the usual reaction when going to the
ballet. Anorexic women and men in too tight tights (actually I don’t normally
mind this bit) prancing around the stage pretending to tell a story when really
they are just showing off.
However Matthew Bourne’s Sleeping Beauty is a
complete juxtaposition to what you would normally expect when you attend the
ballet. He transforms a well-known fairy tale into a modern and stylish
adaptation. Well not in the sense that Aurora has an IPod, the tale is still
set in the 19th century. However not only are the set and costumes magical but so is the
dancing. Matthew Bourne’s dancers are not your usual prissy bunch in tutus,
they can actually move, mixing classical ballet with contemporary dance and
jazz. Chief fairy Count Lilac, (despite
his rather camp namesake) is truly spectacular; your eyes cannot help follow
him when he moves across the stage. He’s masculine and yet effortless and by
the end of the performance I have convinced myself that I too could probably be
a ballerina (I can’t, I tried, I failed).
The Count Lilac’s rival Caradoc (the evil fairy’s son) also has a
sinister charm in his movements. As the fairy tale shifts in the 100 year sleep
(also known as the interval) we are transported to the 21st century.
Whilst this is made almost frustratingly obvious by the modern day attire of
hoodies and jeans, it lends to the style of the piece well. When Caradoc is
about to sacrifice Aurora, (God knows why? Because he can?) I almost want him
to succeed, as I want to keep on watching him dance. Plus I think it would make
a much more interesting storyline . Matthew Bourne has revolutionized Sleeping
Beauty. Whilst Aurora is all very well
and pretty and dances like an angel (and still has to depend on a man to save
her, tuh) it is the purple fairy and his evil counterpart that really steal the
show. I would go as so far to say that I didn’t even mind being surrounded by a
bunch of snotty private school girls who looked as though Jack Wills and
Topshop had thrown up on them. Bravo, Matthew Bourne , Bravo, if I was wearing
a hat, I would take it off to you.
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