Hailed as one of the U.K.’s most popular and successful choreographers and directors, Matthew Bourne will premiere his critically acclaimed “gothic romance” dance reinterpretation of the classic fairy tale “Sleeping Beauty,” at the LG Arts Center in Seoul next month.

The ballet rendition of the fairy tale was first created by the legendary Marius Petipa in 1890 and the work has since become one of the most famous ballets in classical repertoire. Combining dance, cabaret and circus elements with the music of Tchaikovsky, Bourne has reinvented the traditional tale of good vs. evil into a visual masterpiece of supernatural love with a gothic vampire twist. 


Bourne’s modern revamp of “Sleeping Beauty” had its world premiere in the U.K. in November 2012 and became the fastest-selling show at the prestigious Sadler’s Wells Theatre in London.

It tells the tale of Princess Aurora in the 1890s -- a time of fairies and vampires. One of the biggest highlights of this fairy tale is that this princess is not the typical perfect, dainty character -- she’s a rebel.

After being cursed and sent into a century-long slumber, the princess awakens to find herself in an unknown modern world in a ballet widely considered a visual spectacle of supernatural love. 


Bourne is no stranger to the ballet works of Tchaikovsky. He has received much critical acclaim for his dark, contemporary reinterpretations of Tchaikovsky’s classical ballet productions, including “The Nutcracker” in 1992 and “Swan Lake” in 1995. The productions not only helped launch his international career, but went on to become two of the most successful original British dance productions.

“Sleeping Beauty,” which treads a fine line between edgy and grim, is considered to be much darker than his previous works. It is said to be riddled with the director’s trademark wit and humor, making it a gothic tale appropriate for both children and adults. 


The ballet will also feature stunning costumes and set designs by the Tony and Olivier Award-winning British designer Lez Brotherston. It starts off in the 19th century and ends in the present day.

“Sleeping Beauty” will be performed by its U.K. cast at the LG Arts Center in Seoul from June 22 to July 3. The production runs for 2 hours and 10 minutes. Ticket prices range from 40,000 won ($34) to 130,000 won. For more information, visit www.lgart.com or call (02) 2005-0114.

By Julie Jackson (juliejackson@heraldcorp.com)