Review of Sleeping Beauty by The Russian State Ballet of Siberia at Royal & Derngate (Derngate), Northampton

While settling down to write my third review of a ballet (only also the fourth I had seen), it strikes me that I am still limited in my understanding and slightly feel a fraud for attempting to even write a review of one. However, then I think what I always do at this stage, that I shall be here to offer advice to those potential new audience members who are thinking of challenging themselves with a bit of different art, advice as to whether to take the plunge. So, here as a bystander to proper ballet knowledge, I offer my thoughts of Sleeping Beauty by The Russian State Ballet of Siberia.

The tale of Sleeping Beauty needs little introduction, and as my previous encounter with the Siberia ballet, Cinderella attested to, this can be the best way of getting into ballet as a layman. Knowing the story well, goes a long way to enjoying ballet, and who doesn't know about Sleeping Beauty and the knitting needles?

This production immediately captivates with the colour and energy of the opening prologue. Full of excellent moments of choreography, and even this opening piece, full to the brim with that one move we all know, even if we don't know ballet, en pointe.

Despite this being a story told through dance, there are some great characters created. Alexander Kuimov and Vera Surovtseva have a great presence as the stately King and Queen, with the former a particularly expressive face as well.

Francesco is quite brilliant as master of ceremonies Cattalabutte, while scene-stealer and scenery-chewing Egor Osokin is devilishly wicked as Carabosse, who you want to boo in the best panto traditions, and eventually, at the curtain call, the audience is up for doing so, perhaps to the dismay of maybe some of the most rigid of ballet aficionados.

As the Princess and Prince, Anastasia Belonogova and Francisco Gimenez are stunning in their solos, but even more beautiful together when finally paired up in the second half of the second act, and the pieces combined with some special characters including Puss-in-Boots, White Cat, and Little Red Riding Hood form a delightful culmination to the ballet.

The set is simple but effective, with a large projection, often animated, offering the background to scenes. It's not groundbreaking, but it does the job and allows the main business of the ballet to be unhindered. Conductor Anatoliy Chepurnoy and his large orchestra fill the theatre beautifully with Tchaikovsky's classic music.

This was easily the best of the three offerings of ballet that I have seen at the Royal & Derngate, and this talented group provide a solid evening of touring ballet and are also presenting two other shows this week at the Royal & Derngate, Coppélia and Swan Lake (as depicted in the second and third images on this review). If you have never encountered ballet before, maybe you should take this opportunity, but you may need to read up on the synopsis beforehand!

A solid performance of the classic tale with great production and one particularly great star turn.

⭐⭐⭐⭐

Performance reviewed: Monday 27th January 2020 at the Royal & Derngate (Derngate), Northampton.
The Russian State Ballet of Siberia performs Coppélia (28th January) and Swan Lake (29th January including matinee) at the Royal & Derngate, before continuing its tour.

For further details about the Royal & Derngate see their website at http://www.royalandderngate.co.uk

Photos: Graeme Braidwood

Review of Annie at Milton Keynes Theatre

Annie was first performed now a remarkable fifty years ago at Goodspeed Opera House in Connecticut, and since then, the tale based on a 1920s comic strip and adapted for the stage by Thomas Meehan on book, with music by Charles Strouse, and lyrics provided by Martin Charnin, has become a perennial favourite across the world. Indeed, this version, directed by Nikolai Foster, last appeared at Milton Keynes Theatre in 2023. So, after all these years, does Annie still have that appeal? Set in 1930s New York during the Great Depression, Annie follows the life of an orphan abandoned to the care of its evil matron, Miss Hannigan. Annie seeks escape, and after one failed attempt, she finds herself the chosen Christmas guest of billionaire Oliver Warbucks, and things slowly, hopefully begin to improve for the little but fiercely strong Annie. Leading the adult cast for this tour now as the cruel Miss Hannigan is Claire Sweeney. Sweeney clearly revels in the chance to embr...

Review of Matilda at Milton Keynes Theatre

Roald Dahl is perhaps one of the most famous children’s authors of any generation, and his work has inspired an exceptional number of film, television, and theatre adaptations. Fifteen years ago, this musical of Matilda , one of his most fondly remembered stories, took to the stage and has not looked back since. Adapted from the original book by Dennis Kelly, with lyrics and music by Tim Minchin, the show has been a fixture at the Cambridge Theatre in London since 2011, has performed on Broadway, and is now reaching Milton Keynes Theatre as part of its second UK and Ireland Tour. Inspired by the Roald Dahl book of the same name, this Royal Shakespeare Company’s multi-award-winning musical tells the story of an extraordinary little girl with a vivid imagination and the courage to change her own destiny. Matilda is of course the centre of attention in this production, and on this extensive tour, the role is shared by Felicity Brown, Petra Hutchings, Mollie Hutton, and Caroline Ravansari ...

Review of Elf the Musical (N.M.T.C.) at Royal & Derngate (Derngate), Northampton

Christmas has come early this year thanks to the Northampton Musical Theatre Company and their annual performance at Royal & Derngate; this year, they bring Elf the Musical to the stage. First staged in 2010, this musical version of the 2003 Will Ferrell comedy features music by Matthew Sklar and Chad Beguelin and is based on the book by Bob Martin and Thomas Meehan, from David Berenbaum's original screenplay. Elf tells the tale of Buddy, a human raised by Santa's elves, who eventually learns that his origins are less North Pole and more the skyscraper streets of New York City. So, for Buddy, it’s time to travel to the Big Apple and finally meet his biological father. Matt Clarke's lead performance in Elf is strong. Clarke brings Buddy to life with all the childish manners and silly behaviour that make the character an endearing lead. He also has the vocal ability and movement to match, and he effortlessly entertains, especially the young kids, with his zany antics. Han...

A Small Mind At The Theatre

Search This Blog