Artists of the Australian Ballet in the sumptuous finale of The Sleeping Beauty Photo: Jeff Busby
Although they are improving, Australian audiences are not generous with standing ovations. So it is a statement indeed that the entire house rose to its feet on opening night to applaud David McAllister’s The Sleeping Beauty, a gorgeous new production that can take its place proudly among the many retellings of that classic.
Most of the audience stood when the leading duo Lana Jones and Kevin Jackson took their curtain calls, but the reluctant risers were pushed into action by the appearance of Artistic Director McAllister, who promptly shared the glory with his creative team.
Among them, costume and set designer Gabriela Tylesova stood out. Her lavish Rococo set and costumes had the delicious charm of a Fragonard painting. Each act delivered another beautiful colour palette, evoking the powdered wigs and courtly manners of 17th Century France. In the ​christening scene burgundy and gilt set a royal mood, in the hunt fairy glade greens evoked the natural setting. The garden pastoral dripped with bowers of pink and turquoise, a particularly stunning combination, and the apotheosis of the wedding scene bathed the stage in swathes of gold and crystal with a sumptuousness worthy of Versailles.
It was a setting which brought out the grandeur of Tschaikovsky’s score and set the scene for a majestic reinterpretation of – and additions to – Petipa’s famous choreography.
McAllister, long loved by Australian audiences as a dancer and Artistic Director, used his strength in his familiarity with the company to great advantage. The cast was masterfully chosen and the production made the most of the Australian Ballet’s strengths. This was no technically-perfect but emotionally cold Russian ballet. It was a warm story-telling filled with character and joyfulness.
As Princess Aurora Lana Jones brought grace and naturalness to the role without ever losing the technical control that some extraordinarily difficult choreography demanded. He compelling poise drew the eye r even in the many very busy scenes.
Her leading man Kevin Jackson was a​n equally commanding presence, owning the stage with broad, graceful movements, as beautiful a romantic lead as one could wish from a fairy tale prince.
McAllister distributed the smaller roles with an unerring knowledge of his dancers. Amber Scott as the Lilac Fairy was all lightness and charm. The always popular Bluebird pas de deux was a highlight with the athleticism of Chengwu Gao matched by partner the vibrant Ako Kondo. Miwako Kubota as the Fairy of Temperament was witty and sweet, bringing personality to a slice of distinctive choreography.
The Sleeping Beauty is a magical night of ballet, filled with delightful moments and consistently strong performances. This production deserves to become a regular part of the Australian Ballet’s repertoire.
Rating: 5 stars out of 5
The Sleeping Beauty
The Australian Ballet
Arts Centre Melbourne, 15 -26September
Crown Theatre Perth, 7-10 October
Sydney Opera House, 27 November – 16 December
