Fairy’s enchantment spells century of rest

English National Ballet will perform Macmillan’s classic production of The Sleeping Beauty at Milton Keynes Theatre this month.

The sumptuous ballet opens as King Florestan and his queen celebrate the christening of Princess Aurora.

Their special guests are the fairy godmothers who bestow their magic gifts on the infant.

Just as the Lilac Fairy is to present her gift, the Fairy Carabosse, whose invitation has been overlooked by the master of ceremonies, arrives and takes her revenge by pronouncing that one day Aurora will prick her finger on a needle and die.

The Lilac Fairy intervenes with the promise that Aurora will not die but fall into a deep sleep from which she will be awakened after 100 years a prince’s kiss.

The production adds grand sets and costumes to Tchaikovsky’s much-loved musical score and tops it off with fabulous displays of virtuosic dancing.

Tamara Rojo, artistic director of English National Ballet, will dance as Princess Aurora on the Wednesday and Friday evenings.

She said: “I want to transform English National Ballet into England’s most creative and most loved ballet company, embracing and commissioning brave new works whilst keeping the classics relevant.

“The English National Ballet will build on its great tradition to nourish artists be they dancers, choreographers, composers, designers or teachers.”

Watch Sleeping Beauty from Wednesday, October 17 to Saturday, October 20. Performances are at 7.30pm each evening with additional 2.30pm matinees on the Wednesday and Saturday.

Tickets cost from £10 to £40 plus a booking fee. They are available from the box office on 08448 717652 or online at www.atgtickets.com/miltonkeynes