I will admit that I was not sure whether I would like this production. I love the Sleeping Beauty ballet so much, that I sometimes can't help shaking off the feeling that doing something different would not do it justice. I was pleasantly surprised though, as while productions like the Aurelie Dupont Paris Opera Ballet one are more ideal this was an example of a production succeeding in being different. It is very fresh and original, especially with the set manager and the obstetrician evil fairy characters, yet doesn't fall into distaste or self-indulgence like Maurice Bejart's version of The Nutcracker for example. It is not just original, it's also bold with takes on racism, love, humour and a sense of romanticism as well, reading as a commentary and serious drama more than the traditional fairy-tale one would associate Sleeping Beauty with. The costumes and sets are not exactly traditional, but they are very fitting within the concept, which for me with concept-productions is very important, and the whole production is shot beautifully. The choreography is both lyrical, as you'd expect ballet to be, and witty in a Monty Python-esque way, and superbly danced by the entire cast. Add to that lush orchestral playing and elegant conducting and you have a well-done, if not ideal for traditionalists, production of one of the most timeless ballets there is. 9/10 Bethany Cox
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