Sleeping Beauty is full of romance and magic that will attract small children who still believe in fairy tales and magic with a strong desire to become a beautiful princess. Tchaikovsky, the legendary Russian composer, turned this timeless fairy tale about a young princess cursed to sleep for one hundred years, into a legendary ballet in 1890. In Matthew Bourne’s play, Aurora’s story was extended to three eras and its starting point was the year of the ballet’s first performance. As Aurora grows into a beautiful young woman, the play moves forward in time to the more uptight Edwardian Era. Years later when Aurora wakes from the curse of her century long sleep, the princess finds herself in the modern world, far more mysterious and intriguing than any fairy tale.
Compared with Sleeping Beauty, Swan Lake is more mature and has a much deeper meaning behind the simple performance. “The idea of male swans is free, beautiful, and wild, all the things a male royal person cannot be,” commented Matthew Bourne. So in comparison, Sleeping Beauty is much easier to understand for both children and adults. As The Times once praised, “Britain’s most successful choreographer will blow you mind with his sheer imagination, wit, and brio.”
The range of the ticket cost is from RMB99 to RMB1500 according to the different sitting areas in the theater. Also note that there will be a 20 percent discount for all prices except RMB380 as long as you book them before June 30th. There are five performances in three days. to enjoy a brand new story of Sleeping Beauty.
Matthew Bourne’s Sleeping Beauty, September 1-4
Ages 5+ Children under 1.2m in height are not admitted, but older children are all welcomed with tickets. Book before June 30 for 20 percent discount. RMB 99 – 1500 7.30pm Multifunction Hall of Tianqiao Art Center. Building 9, South Street, Tianqiao, Xicheng 北京市西城区天桥南大姐9号楼，北京天桥艺术中心 (ponypiao@damai.cn)
Websites and Sources: http://en.damai.cn/event/tickets_103540/
http://www.nytimes.com/2010/10/10/arts/dance/10bourne.html?_r=0
