Sleeping Beauty - Royal Ballet

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The Royal Ballet's Sleeping Beauty at the Royal Opera House in London from 23 October 2009 to 23 January 2010

The Royal Ballet present Sleeping Beauty in London this Christmas

Everyone loves the fairy story of the beautiful princess awoken from a long enchanted sleep by the kiss of a prince. You'll also recognise a whole string of Tchaikovsky's gorgeous melodies for this colourful spectacle: a perfect showcase for The Royal Ballet - and the ultimate special occasion for all the family.

One of the most lavish theatrical events of all time, the original St Petersburg staging of The Sleeping Beauty in 1890 was a spectacular illustration of the Russian Imperial style at its zenith. Today it remains the cornerstone of The Royal Ballet's repertory. Ever since 1939, when Ninette de Valois first had the ballet staged in London for her young Vic-Wells company, it has become the emblem of British classical style. It was The Sleeping Beauty that was to reopen Covent Garden in February 1946, when the Company moved from Islington to the West End. It was also the debut performance for the Company's very first tour to America. The opening night at the Metropolitan Opera House in New York on 9 October 1949 was such a resounding triumph that both Time and Newsweek put Margot Fonteyn on their front covers.

The current staging, by Director Monica Mason in conjunction with Christopher Newton for the Company's 75th Anniversary in 2006, pays homage to that famous 1946 production. With its huge cast, fairytale settings and glorious Tchaikovsky score The Sleeping Beauty remains the very essence of classical grandeur.