London for Christmas

The Sleeping Beauty has become a much-loved classical ballet and a perennial delight that combines in a single work all the charms and virtuosity that ballet has to offer.

First choreographed to Tchaikovsky’s great musical score by Petipa in 1890 in Russia, it has wonderful ensembles such as the famous Waltz, solos including the Rose Adage as Aurora meets her suitors, and of course the concluding celebratory dances for the happy union of prince and princess.

The Royal Ballet’s staging is the distinctive production by Ninette de Valois, revived for the 75th anniversary celebrations of The Royal Ballet in 2006. Its style and visual splendour are unique to the Company: luscious designs by Oliver Messel, restored and updated by Peter Farmer, are richly colourful in their evocation of the opulent Baroque splendour of the royal court, the panoramic journey of the Prince to the overgrown castle and the colourful characters of this famous fairytale.

The Sleeping Beauty brings together the best of classical ballet, its music, its dancers and The Royal Ballet itself.

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