MacMillan’s production of The Sleeping Beauty opens as King Florestan and his Queen celebrate the christening of Princess Aurora. Their special guests are the fairy godmothers who bestow their magic gifts on the infant. Just as the Lilac Fairy is to present her gift, the Fairy Carabosse, whose invitation has been overlooked by the master of ceremonies, arrives and takes her revenge by pronouncing that one day Aurora will prick her finger on a needle and die. The Lilac Fairy intervenes with the promise that Aurora will not die but fall into a deep sleep from which she will be awakened after 100 years by the kiss of a prince.
The production follows the great Sleeping Beauty tradition and features MacMillan’s own contributions to the ballet including the Garland Waltz in Act I, the variations for Prince Desire and Aurora in Act II, the journey to the castle and awakening, and the Jewels divertissement in Act III.
In 2005 The Sleeping Beauty was enjoyed by over 100,000 people on tour and in London.
“The staging is visually a delight… this handsome Beauty is respectful of what this masterpiece means as apotheosis of classic ballet.”
The Financial Times
Joining The Sleeping Beauty on tour will be MacMillan’s masterpiece Manon. Innocent girl or femme fatale, Manon is young, beautiful and naive and she is in love. Caught between two men vying for her affection, Manon becomes entangled in a web of passion, love and vanity, unable to choose. Student Renato des Grieux offers a pure love, but the promises and extravagance of Monsieur G.M. entice Manon to the life of a courtesan. Kenneth MacMillan’s thrilling tragedy brings to life Manon Lescaut, the 1731 novel by Abbe Prevost. Music from Jules Massenet accompanies Manon as she weaves her way through the decadence and darkness of enlightened eighteenth century Paris.
English National Ballet will perform both The Sleeping Beauty and Manon during its Autumn Tour and at the London Coliseum. The tour opens in Oxford and visits Bristol, Southampton, Manchester, and Liverpool culminating in a five week season at the London Coliseum.
“It's amazing how much better English National Ballet's Nutcracker is this year…the real change comes from the dancers, who have restored the required warmth and sparkle…the performances are very winning.”
The Independent on the 2006 performances
English National Ballet will perform each production with its full Company of 67 international dancers. The full orchestra of English National Ballet will also perform under the direction of newly appointed Music Director Gavin Sutherland. -- www.ballet.org.uk
