Review of Tchaikovsky: Sleeping Beauty

Introduction

This is the production of Sleeping Beauty by Het Nationale Ballet(The Dutch National Ballet).

This version of the Tchaikovsky ballet was created by English choreographer Sir Peter Wright, closely based on the original by Marius Petipa. The stars are Sofaine Sylve, Gael Lambiotte, Sarh Fountaine and Enrichetta Cavalliti.

Staged as huge extravaganza in the Russian Court of the Tsars in 1890 Sleeping Beauty is a "grande spectacle" that involves a large cast and precision performances.

Princess Aurora (Sylve) is blessed at her Christening by the visitation of the fairies but one who has been left out, Carabosse (Cavalotti) curses her to die on her 16th birthday. Happily the Lilac Fairy(Fountaine) still has her gift to give and changes the curse to a 100 year sleep. Whilst Aurora is sleeping the Lilac Fairy must persuade Prince Florimund (Lambiotte) to go and find the woman of his dreams.

Video

Produced in anamorphic widescreen this is filmed very much in the way that the audience in the theatre would see the ballet with the avoidance of too many close-ups. This is fine except that ballet is best seen on the stage and the medium of film does not do it justice.

There are sumptuous sets and fantastic costumes but again it feels empty in comparison to seeing this on a stage.

Audio

The music reproduction is in DTS and with the full orchestra it sounds full and clear. There are no problems with the sound reproduction.

Features

Cast Gallery

We All Love Magic(6.25)

This featurette is about fairy tales.

The Story is in Their Hands(8.45)

A fascinating and short enough explanation about the use of mime in a ballet story. In this form of ballet the dancers use their hands in a form of mime to perform the story. The dancing then is given no additional meaning but forms part of the spectacle.

A Crystal-Cut Diamond(10.33)

Sir Peter Wright discusses the importance of rehearsal with footage of the rehearsals snd discussions with the cast.

I Got Stuck(15.12min)

This is a relatively short but very informative biographical portrait of the young lead dancer,Sofiane Sylve(Princess Aurora) who has now moved to the New York Ballet.

Conclusion

Although not a connoisseur of ballet I was very impressed with the professionalism and values of the production but for me this is a cold and impersonal experience and I didn`t feel engaged with the story. In the darkness of the theatre along with all the other sights sounds and smells this production would be a triumph. It simply does not carry over into the living room.

This is ballet for the dedicated, running to over 2 hours. The presentation is good and the extras are informative and do not overstay their welcome. There is access to each scene through the menu which is one of the benefits of DVD when you have a favourite you want to go back to time and again.