Following their sell-out 2009 performances of Swan Lake, the Imperial Russian Ballet Company return to New Zealand to perform Sleeping Beauty. 

ACT 1

This classic masterpiece in three acts commences with the christening of Princess Aurora.  The King forgets to invite the bad fairy, Carabosse, who bursts into the castle at the conclusion of the ceremony and casts a spell that the Princess will die from a prick of a needle at age 16. 

The King orders that all knitting needles in the Kingdom are to be destroyed and that anyone who is in possession of a knitting needle will be executed.

16 years later...

The Master of Ceremonies finds four women knitting. He takes the needles from them and brings them before the King who immediately sentences them to death. The King’s wife is horrified and asks the King to pardon them as it is the birthday of their daughter Princess Aurora. The King grants their freedom and the festivities begin.

On her sixteenth birthday, Princess Aurora dances with each of the four princes who have come to ask for her hand. An old women appears in the hall and presents her with a beautiful bouquet of flowers. However she pricks her finger on a concealed knitting needle hidden in the bouquet of flowers and falls into a deep sleep.

ACT 2

100 years later...

Prince Deserea and his party are hunting for birds in the forest where he encounters the Lilac Fairy. The Lilac Fairy makes him fall asleep and in his dreams the Prince dances and falls in love with Princess Aurora however the Evil Fairy “Carabosse” bursts into the dream, steals the princess and takes her to her castle.

When the Prince awakens he sees the outline of the castle and drawing his sword he charges into the castle where he finds the Princess of his dreams. He kisses her gently and after 100 years sleeping the Princess awakens.

Witchcraft is defeated and all of the court wakes.

ACT 3

A holiday is declared for Princess Auroras Wedding to Prince Deserea. Invited guests are entertained by fairy tale characters, as the joyous occasion is celebrated by the Kingdom

The Imperial Russian Ballet Company was formed by the Bolshoi Theatre soloist of 13 years, Gediminas Taranda. The Company combines the unity and integrity of the great Russian Ballet Schools where traditions are passed on from one generation to another. 

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