
There is lots to say about how unique Bourne's treatment of this ballet is (this is definitely not the Sleeping Beauty you know). Let's just focus here on one narrative twist: the one that involves a Count Lilac who is King of the fairies. He is also a vampire. In the original ballet, this central rescuer role is played by a queen fairy-no vampire). Count Lilac is the one on the right in the first photo.
Reviewing the images I have posted here, I need to add that although there is lots of darkness (one reviewer noted that instead of pink tutus in this production, we get fairies wearing costumes that are the color of bruises), there is also lots of light. The ending is upbeat and then there is that amazing Baby Aurora (Baby Sleeping Beauty) played by an absolutely charming puppet, controlled as in Bunraku puppetry. She is filled with light and hope and gumption. There is a theatrical saying that if you dare go onstage with a child or a dog, you are sure to be upstaged. This puppet in her cuteness and responsiveness upstages even the most awesome dancing.
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