Artistic Director Robert Denver's version of The Sleeping Beauty, performed by the Royal Ballet of Flanders, which opened on Wednesday in the Grand Opera House, Belfast, is very clever. The spectacular Tchaikovsky/Petipa classic is scaled down, not only in running time and cast size, but also in order to minimise the number of roles requiring principals or top soloists. Yet nothing of the story is lost and few of the choreographic highlights. Only Geraldine Meslier's sympathetic Lilac Fairy has become a mime role, with some of her dancing in the Prologue taken over by Irina Zavialova, seen in Act three as the Silver Fairy.
Aysem Sunal as Aurora combines strong technique with the ability to suggest an excited but shy 16-year-old, while Priit Kripson as her prince is a true danseur noble, with wonderfully controlled jumps, which never appear to be limited by the small stage. Olga Volobueva and Ilia Belitchkov make fine Bluebirds, especially the latter, who is also one of the Four Princes of the Rose Adagio in Act one, who are unusually given some individuality and character.
Aki Saito is outstanding, doubling as the Songbird Fairy and the Diamond Fairy, the latter ably partnered by the charismatic Guiseppe Nocera, while Bart de Block as the wicked Carabosse earned his "boos" with a fine performance and he too had extra business.
Runs until tomorrow at 7.45 p.m., with matinee at 2.30 p.m.
To book phone 028 90665577
