An eclectic performance from a world renowned ballet ensemble, Moscow City Ballet present The Sleeping Beauty

Lydia Ransome | 4th March 2018

Moscow City Ballet present The Sleeping Beauty at Palace Theatre, an unmissable performance

 

Moscow City Ballet come to Manchester in a series of shows at Oxford Road’s Palace Theatre. With stunning visuals and jaw-dropping choreography, the troupe recreate The Sleeping Beauty tale with elegance at Manchester’s infamous Palace Theatre.

The curtains are drawn to reveal a single ballerina placed centre stage in a sparkling purple and pink tutu. Already, the audience can expect the stunning visuals to be consistent throughout as the baroque settings are brought to life. The evening begins with a solo performance as various characters begin to enter the stage, each of individual importance to the plot line.

 

 

A blue and purple aesthetic is transformed into a golden, traditional ballroom scene with costumes draped across light-footed and graceful dancers. With porcelain-like skin and innocent facial expressions, the movement of each and every dancer cannot be faulted as they move in perfect synchronisation across the stage.

The plot line is initially unclear but as the performance progresses and the personalities of characters are portrayed through dance, the story-line begins to unfold and the audience are fixated on the sometimes hectic on-stage drama. As the dancers move in flawless succession, a dark and eerie scene begins to emerge. With it, orchestral harmony as the conductor guides the ensemble through the drama. The story-line is in full-swing just in time for the interval.

 

 

The plot line has taken precedence in the latter half of the first act, allowing for a more creative and exploratory second half of the performance. Once again, the script becomes ambiguous as the dancing and visuals take priority and the audience are allowed to sit back and enjoy the world class talent of the Moscow City Ballet.

Set manoeuvres and costume changes guide the dancers through the performance. With emotional triggers and romance galore, The Sleeping Beauty is unmissable.

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