The Sleeping Beauty

Ballet.co.uk“Her Prince is good-looking, elegant, well-mannered, a pleasure to watch...” Wright's conception is magnificently framed in Philip Prowse's rich, darkly glittering sets, looking astonishingly solid and weighty for a production which must have been designed for touring...

London Dance“ A strength and clarity of technique in the full range of soloists...” Nao Sakuma was delightful in the title role. She dances with a generally unhurried and understated assurance; there is nothing flashy or overly demonstrative but her lines are always clean and elegant...

MusicOMH“Highly successful, mix of the innovative and traditional...” As Prince Florimund, there is a brilliant lightness of touch to Iain MacKay’s strident step, and as the pair dance their pas de deux there is a real sense that they are in tune with each others’ movements and feelings...

Financial Times“Here is masterly stage-craft...” I was bowled over (as ever) by Marion Tait’s dramatic power as Carabosse, offering menace and gesture as knife-slash. But it was Prowse who gave the evening its real significance, its proper dignity...

The Times“This Beauty looks magnificent on this enormous stage...” Massive Baroque sets and opulent costumes are eye-watering in their beauty, a glowing testament to royal wealth. The music, played by the Royal Ballet Sinfonia with brisk excitement under Paul Murphy’s baton, is rich with majesty...

this is london“The company performed well, although some of the corps could be better...” For clarity and balance, not to mention fine costumes and scenic grandeur, it’s hard to top Sir Peter Wright’s production...

The Independent“The grandest performance comes from Marion Tait's magnificent Carabosse...” Petipa's The Sleeping Beauty is a very courtly fairytale, packed with demanding pure dance and formal storytelling. The dancers of Birmingham Royal Ballet respond to both sides, with vivid mime and some easy, confident dancing..

Guardian“Philip Prowse's designs are fit for any royal court...” Paul Murphy conducts Tchaikovsky briskly, and during the first half, several dancers can't keep up. The six fairies lack sufficient classical style to breathe with the majesty and sparkle of their music...

The Telegraph“The dancers are perfectly showcased...” It’s 20 years since the Royal Ballet’s second company changed its name to Birmingham Royal Ballet and moved to the Midlands. And it couldn’t have chosen a better revival to mark the anniversary...

Whatsonstage.com“A grand showcase of the company’s dancing talent...” It is certain that this production of The Sleeping Beauty is a display of Birmingham Royal Ballet’s principle talent and a testament to the traditional stylistics of ballet...