Matthew Bourne’s Sleeping Beauty at the Alhambra Bradford Review
Matthew Bourne’s
Sleeping Beauty
Alhambra, Bradford
23-27 February 2016
Reviewed by Gemma Ingham
I was invited to review Matthew Bourne’s Sleeping Beauty at the Alhambra Theatre in Bradford. The Alhambra is in the centre of Bradford, easy to find from all surrounding motorways and well signposted. There is ample parking nearby and plenty of disabled parking specifically for the theatre. It is a light and bright modern theatre with friendly staff and a good layout.
Everyone knows the fairy tale of Sleeping Beauty, the princess Aurora cursed to sleep for 100 years and awakened by the kiss of her true love. If you don’t know the story then you either don’t have kids or have never been a kid yourself. Matthew Bourne however, changed the sweet childhood fairy tale up with a Gothic twist.
The story of the Princess starts in her babyhood and takes us right up to the present day as her true love, Leo, waits for her to waken from her slumber. Along the way we encounter fairies, one in particular dead set on revenge, and vampires. The story throughout is dotted with dark humour, and I particularly liked how the dance changed depending on which era of Aurora’s life we were in. The choreography changed from upbeat and giddy when in her childhood, to darker and sultry but with a modern flair in the final acts.
Whilst watching the performance I felt I was taken on a sumptuous and sensual ride. Having never seen ballet at the theatre before I wasn’t sure whether I would like it, but it was amazing. I couldn’t tear my eyes away from the precise choreography, lavish costumes and amazing (if somewhat creepy) puppetry. The sultry atmosphere and spine tingling score created an emotional experience like no other, and a performance that has stayed with me long after the final curtain call.
Rating: 5/5 
Tickets cost from £20.50 to £37.50 (booking fees may apply).
Matthew Bourne’s Sleeping Beauty is at the Alhambra Theatre in Bradford until 27 February 2016. For more information or to book tickets click here or call the box office on 01274 432000.
The Alhambra Theatre, Morley Street, Bradford, BD7 1AJ | Box Office 01274 432000
