Matthew Bourne’s Sleeping Beauty

Theater — By Buddy Sampson on November 25, 2013 at 7:08 am

A Visual Treat

By Buddy Sampson

I have to admit- when invited to review Matthew Bourne’s Sleeping Beauty, I had no preconceived notions of what to expect. I’m sure most of my colleagues that are versed in classical reviews and ballet would find it unbelievable I knew little about this production.  That naivety set up a visual and audio experience that was, quite frankly, out of this world.

Okay, so I didn’t know there wasn’t dialogue in the production. At first, I thought I was in for a long night. But I was blissfully wrong. I found that although Sleeping Beauty is a classic story, in this writer’s estimation, the story only served as a backdrop to some simply spectacular dancing and imagery.

Running at The Ahmanson Theatre from November 21^st to December 1, 2013, the production is a visual treat, perfect for a great date night, a family gathering or a night with friends.  The dancing and ballet, led by dancers Hannah Vassallo, Ashley Shaw, Christopher Marney, Adam Maskell, Daniel Collins, Danny Reubens, Dominic North, and Kate Lyons among many others, demonstrated technical and artistic wizardry. The graceful choreography and the athletic ability of the dancers that performed the intricate moves, thrilled the audience, with the timeless music of Tchaikovsky as a backdrop. However, each time the curtain opened with a new scene and a new set of dancers, clearly the spotlight was on Bourne’s colorful choreography, punctuated by a classic love story. The ensemble cast’s synchronicity was a marvel to behold.

A lovely lady that attended the opening night production summed up the production succinctly. “It’s like going to Disneyland,” she said. I couldn’t agree more. Sleeping Beauty is a masterpiece- a visual treat.

For tickets and information, visit www.centertheatregroup.org.