The Royal Ballet: The Sleeping Beauty

Marking 70 years since the Royal Ballet reopened the Royal Opera House after the Second World War – with Margot Fonteyn dancing the role of Aurora - this enchanting 19th-century classic epitomises the traditions of the company.

While younger generations can only imagine how wonderful the war-weary audiences would have deemed it to be, The Sleeping Beauty’s endurance as a signature work of the company reflects its continuing popularity.

Featuring a beautiful princess, a flock of fairies and an array of beloved fairy-tale characters, The Sleeping Beauty provides ample opportunity for the whole company to shine.

This update of the famous 1946 Oliver Messel-designed production blends Marius Petipa’s masterful choreography with sections subsequently created especially for the Royal Ballet by Frederick Ashton, Anthony Dowell and Christopher Wheeldon.

And, of course, complementing the virtuoso choreography is Tchaikovsky’s glorious score.

Musical highlights embellish every magical moment – from the iconic Rose Adagio to the celebratory divertissements and the final Grand pas-de- deux – firmly establishing The Sleeping Beauty as a favourite among balletomanes and less frequent theatregoers alike.

Among the cast just announced are veteran pairings, such as Sarah Lamb and Vadim Muntagirov, and Iana Salenko and Steven McRae. Natalia Osipova will dance Aurora, partnered by Ryoichi Hirano.

Particularly exciting, though, will be the debut in the lead roles of some of the Royal's most promising rising stars, Francesca Hayward and Alexander Campbell; and Yasmine Naghdi partnered by Matthew Ball.

Live Cinema Season -The Sleeping Beauty will be shown in cinemas nationwide on Tuesday 28 February