REVIEW: Matthew Bourne's Sleeping Beauty at The Mayflower, Southampton

The beauty of this production is that a simple story we're all familiar with has a contemporary twist on it.
Picture: Johan PerssonPicture: Johan Persson
Picture: Johan Persson

Matthew Bourne has undertaken a creative journey here and taking inspiration from True Blood and Interview with the Vampire, this production is one of Gothic romance set to Tchaikovsky’s iconic score.

This new scenario takes us from the late Victorian age through the Edwardian era and into the present day.

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With costumes and scenery to match, the backdrop to this tale helps immerse us in the story. This piece of theatre comprises four acts and sees Southampton dancer Kate Lyons as Ardor the Fairy of Passion. The love between the royal gamekeeper, danced by Chris Trenfield, and Princess Aurora, danced by Ashley Shaw, is realistic and believable. We wait, holding our breath with anticipation, for a kiss from Aurora’s one true love to wake her from her 100-year slumber. The development of their love is breathtaking and the transition into the present day leaves us wondering if all fairytales have a happy ending?

The evening was made complete by a question and answer session with Bourne, with an insight into his creative process, the challenges of such a production and a little teaser of what his next production might be.

Simply stunning.

Until Saturday.