THE ROYAL BALLET
Director
Founder
Founder Choreographer
Founder Music Director
Prima Ballerina Assoluta
The Royal Ballet dedicates this Season’s performances to the memory of Her Majesty Queen Elizabeth II.
Generous philanthropic support from Julia and Hans Rausing, Huo Family Foundation, Kenneth and Susan Green, Rena and Sandro Lavery, Lindsay and Sarah Tomlinson and the Patrons of Covent Garden and an anonymous donor
Original production (2006) made possible by The Linbury Trust, Simon and Virginia Robertson and Marina Hobson OBE
Young ROH is generously made possible by The Bunting Family, Sir Simon Robey, Tim Ashley and John Booth
Additional kind support from Josh and Layla Harris
The 2022/23 Royal Ballet Season is generously supported by Aud Jebsen
The Sleeping Beauty
Ballet in a Prologue and Three Acts
12.05.2023 19:30
APPROXIMATE TIMINGS
GUIDANCE
Children under the age five are not permitted into our auditoria. Children over age five must have their own ticket and sit next to an accompanying adult.
CREDITS
CAST
Fairy and hunt attendants, courtiers, heralds, knitting women, garland dancers, the Prince’s entourage, nymphs, fairytale characters and pages Artists of The Royal Ballet, Students of The Royal Ballet School.
Students of The Royal Ballet School appear by kind permission of the Artistic Director Christopher Powney
SYNOPSIS
King Florestan XXIV and his Queen have invited all the fairies to the christening of their daughter, Princess Aurora. The celebration is interrupted by the arrival of Carabosse, the Wicked Fairy. In her anger at not being invited she gives Aurora a spindle, saying that one day the Princess will prick her finger on it and die. The Lilac Fairy promises that Aurora will not die but fall into a deep sleep, from which she will be woken by a prince’s kiss.
Interval
It is Princess Aurora’s 16th birthday and four princes come to vie for her hand in marriage. Three women are discovered with knitting needles. All needles and pins have been banned so King Florestan decrees that the women must die. The Queen pleads for mercy as it is Aurora’s birthday and the King relents.
An old woman gives Aurora a spindle. She pricks her finger and falls in a dead faint. The old woman reveals herself as Carabosse and after reminding everyone of her spell, vanishes. The Lilac Fairy casts a spell of sleep over everyone and causes a thick forest to grow over the palace.
Interval
A hundred years later, Prince Florimund is hunting in the forest with members of his court. A stag is sighted and the company pursue it, leaving the young Prince behind to dream pensively of an ideal love. The Lilac Fairy appears and shows him a vision of Princess Aurora. Florimund implores her to take him to where she sleeps. Outside the palace gates they are met by Carabosse, whom the Lilac Fairy repels. At last Prince Florimund awakens Princess Aurora with a kiss – the spell is broken and Carabosse is finally vanquished.
Fairytale characters come to the wedding of Prince Florimund and Princess Aurora. The Lilac Fairy blesses their marriage.
THE ROYAL BALLET
Music Director
Resident Choreographer
Artistic Associate
Administrative Director
Rehearsal Director
Clinical Director Ballet Healthcare
DIGITAL CAST SHEETS
We are working to make the Royal Opera House more sustainable. To do this, some of the ways in which we share information have changed, including cast sheets.
You can view the digital cast sheets on a computer, tablet or smartphone. You can also download and print the digital cast sheet. Check the digital cast sheet for the most up-to-date information before the performance starts, during the interval, or after the performance day.
Scan the QR codes displayed around the building with a smartphone to view the latest digital cast sheets. The cast sheets are also displayed on screens outside the auditoria.
Cast sheets generously supported by the Royal Opera House Endowment Fund.
GUIDELINES
Photography and filming are prohibited during performances in any of our auditoriums. You are welcome to take pictures throughout the rest of the building and before performances and share them with us through social media. Commercial photography and filming must be agreed in advance with our press team.
Larger bags and backpacks need to be check into our complimentary cloakrooms. Unattended bags may be removed.
Please do not place any personal belongings on the ledges in front of you.
Only bottled water and ice cream purchased from the premises can be taken into the auditorium.
If you arrive late to the auditorium or leave during a performance, you will not be allowed back to your seat until the interval or a suitable break.
Smoking and vaping are not permitted anywhere on the premises.
The safety of our visitors, staff and artists is still our priority. There are hand sanitiser stations throughout the building. To help us provide a comfortable experience for everyone, please be mindful of others and their personal space.
Our staff are committed to treating everyone with dignity and respect and we ask that you show them and your fellow audience members respect too. We adopt a zero-tolerance approach in response to anyone who interacts with our staff or with fellow audience members in an intimidating, aggressive or threatening manner.
SUPPORT OUR ONGOING RECOVERY
We are so glad to welcome our artists back to our theatres to perform for you the opera and ballet you love. During the pandemic we lost £3 in every £5 of our income and we continue to feel the impact as we recover. Sustaining the future of ballet and opera has never been so important. Please consider making a donation to the Royal Opera House community today and help support the future of ballet and opera.