Once upon a time, in a land not so far away, the West Australian Ballet and the West Australian Philharmonic Orchestra teamed up to bring one of the world’s most beloved ballets to life just in time for the silly season—The Sleeping Beauty.
Lucky for us here in Perth, we only have to make our way to His Majesty’s Theatre to witness the magic. From 22 November, the WA Ballet will present the familiar family-friendly fairytale, following the royal romance between unlucky-in-love Princess Aurora and the Prince (with a great deal of wigs, wings, tiaras and tutus thrown in for good measure).
Awakening Over 100 Years Of History
The Sleeping Beauty originally premiered in 1890 at the famed Mariinsky Theatre in Saint Petersburg, with ballet big gun Marius Petipa and famed composer Pyotr Ilyich Tchaikovsky behind the choreography, storyline and score. It's since been performed by both professional and amateur ballet companies all around the world, and is a firm fave during the holiday period.
Choreographer Javier Torres has taken Petipa’s original choreo and made it his own, with the ensemble pirouetting, jeté-ing and promenading en pointe across the stage in meticulously crafted costumes by Erika Turunen. Off stage, principal conductor Jessica Gethin will be making magic with the West Australian Philharmonic Orchestra, bringing the music of Tchaikovsky to life with a wave of her baton.
Complemented with larger-than-life set designs by Minna Wallenius and mood lighting by Nigel Levings, you'll easily find yourself swept up in the opulent production of this perennially popular ballet.
Pirouetting For One Season Only
There are just over twenty performances of The Sleeping Beauty planned across the season, including five matinees and four twilight sessions, so kick off the holiday season at His Majesty’s Theatre with the WA Ballet and the West Australian Philharmonic Orchestra—you’re not going to want to sleep on this one.
THE DETAILS
What: The Sleeping Beauty, with the WA Ballet and the West Australian Philharmonic Orchestra
Where: His Majesty’s Theatre, 825 Hay Street, Perth
When: 22 November – 15 December 2024
Grab your tickets here.
Editor’s note: This article is sponsored by WA Ballet and proudly endorsed by Urban List. Thank you for supporting the sponsors who make Urban List possible. Click here for more information on our editorial policy.
Images: Supplied.