This production of The Sleeping Beauty marks the tenth anniversary of the Tasmanian ballet.
It’s a remarkable feat (pardon the pun) considering the ballet does not get outside sponsorship even though it is a very sustainable organisation. Sadly, there is also no qualification in classical or contemporary dance offered by the performing arts department of the University of Tasmania as yet because it is not deemed feasible to have such a course for a possibly limited number of applicants. However, after speaking to Mark Reddish the director of the company, it would seem there are enough potential candidates for such a course to be considered. Without a course it means that many of our talented dancers must leave Tasmania to study on the mainland and also when a production like Sleeping Beauty is staged the performers must be sourced from the mainland.
In fact this year’s production will also boast a dancer who has been working with the Paris Opera!
The Sleeping Beauty is the second ballet written by Tchaikovsky, the other two ballets he wrote are The Nutcracker and Swan Lake, both previously performed by this company. Swan Lake was Tchaikovsky’s first ballet and wasn’t as well received as Sleeping Beauty yet Tchaikovsky did not live to enjoy Sleeping Beauty’s success. It’s a very long ballet, four hours without intermission and is usually pared down for performances, similarly the Tasmanian Ballet company will pare it down while still including the best bits of choreography and music.
Most people are familiar with the story of Sleeping Beauty however there will be a few surprises, for instance the evil fairy godmother Carabosse will be depicted as a beautiful women. This was prompted by the success of the new fairytale TV program ‘Once Upon a Time’ where the evil queen is depicted as a beauty.
Another change will be made in the traditional wedding scene. This performance will not feature a host of fairytale characters like Little Red Riding Hood and Puss in Boots and others, simply because they are not relevant. The wedding scene will retain the character of Bluebeard.
If you are put off ballet because you think it is too highbrow, director of the Tasmanian Ballet Mark Reddish has this story to tell. The Tasmanian Ballet Company first visited Burnie in 2003 and three years later had gathered quite a following on their return visit. Mark recalls a man in a flannelette shirt arrived with 3 daughters in fairy costumes. The contrast in attire made it clear to Mark that ballet is for everyone not only those that dress the part.
The Sleeping Beauty will be playing at the Derwent Entertainment Centre on Saturday 14 July 2012 – 2.00 pm and 7.30 pm
Paula Xiberras
