A decade ago in Melbourne, The Australian Ballet successfully premiered David McAllister’s sumptuous The Sleeping Beauty. Currently, the company are touring the opulent production to select Australian states. Thankfully, Queensland is on their list.
I attended the evening performance on Saturday, 16 August at the Lyric Theatre, Queensland Performing Arts Centre. A prologue and three acts with intervals makes for a long evening. Time flew by because I was deeply absorbed and highly impressed by everything I was seeing and hearing.
Tchaikovsky’s majestic, ceremonial overture in the prologue, heralds the christening of a new princess. Completed in 1889, Piotr Ilyich Tchaikovsky’s The Sleeping Beauty (Opus 66) is his longest ballet composition.
Beneath the baton of guest conductor, Jonathan Lo, Queensland Symphony Orchestra were superb. They greatly enhanced and reinforced the grandeur of the performance.
From Aurora’s elaborate cradle to her magnificent coffin, the entire production radiated regal extravagance. I applaud Gabriela Tylesova who designed the lavish, resplendent sets and costumes, and the creatives who built or made them. The audience was suddenly transported to Europe, into a kingdom of baroque opulence.
The baroque/rococo era held nothing back when it came to grandeur of décor. An intriguing stylistic aspect of the period is the use of asymmetry. The kingdom gates were near enough and big enough for me to scrutinise them. I smiled to myself when I found the subtle difference between the two sides. That’s attention and adherence to stylistic detail!
Gifted Australian choreographer, David McAllister AC has had a long association with The Australian Ballet since joining them as a 17 year old student in 1980 and rising to the rank of Principal in 1989.
Based upon the original 1890 work by Marius Petipa and choreographed for The Australian Ballet, McAllister’s The Sleeping Beauty ballet is a grand production in the classical tradition. The lead and soloist roles are coveted additions to dancers’ career bios.
It’s been years since I reviewed The Australian Ballet. I don’t recall feeling this enthralled. I was mesmerised and astounded by the individual and collective abilities of this outstanding company.
The jumps, the leaps, the jetes were impressively elevated and exquisitely executed. The lines were beautiful, the complex lifts looked deceptively effortless. This is a world class ballet company.
Aurora was danced by the Ako Kondo. A stellar choice. Beautiful, and unshakeably balanced, Ako dances with a precise clarity whilst emanating an ethereal lightness. She delivered the perilous Rose Adagio with unwavering poise.
Brett Chynoweth, as Prince Désiré, was a magnificent and regal presence. Their jetes are buoyant and strong. Their lifts looked effortless. Those deadly fish dives were breathtaking. (In my case, breath holding).
Carabosse (Katherine Sonnekus) was a dark force to be reckoned with. For personal, phobic reasons, I’m trying not to dwell on those realistic rats who always accompanied her. I know there were five because counting them was a calming technique I employed.
Mia Heathcote as the Lilac Fairy, kept Carabosse at bay and softened the spell. Instead of death, Aurora slept for a century until woken by a kiss. Her casket looked like a Faberge egg.
Amidst all that unfolded, McAllister has given each of the fairies and Aurora’s four suitors distinct characteristics, personified by the choreography.
Whilst the overwhelming vibe is luxurious, the transition from regal glamour to a desolate, overgrown forest was striking. Fast forwarding the fashions of the picnickers a hundred years is a clever touch.
The return to the Baroque court for the wedding brought additional grandeur as the beautiful chandeliers were lowered. Kudos to Jon Buswell for the lighting.
I could continue to write about this wonderful production, performance, and cast, but I have a deadline to meet. I’ll conclude by highly recommending it and strongly advise anyone considering attending to do so.
The Sleeping Beauty
Lyric Theatre – QPAC, Cultural Precinct, South Bank (Brisbane)
Performance: Saturday 16 August 2025
Season continues to 23 August 2025
Bookings: www.qpac.com.au
The Australian Ballet will present The Sleeping Beauty in the Joan Sutherland Theatre – Sydney Opera House from 21 November – 17 December 2025. For more information, visit: www.australianballet.com.au for details.
Images: Artists of The Australian Ballet in The Sleeping Beauty (McAllister) – photo by David Kelly | Brett Chynoweth and Ako Kondo in The Sleeping Beauty (McAllister) – photo by David Kelly | Ako Kondo and Katherine Sonnekus in The Sleeping Beauty (McAllister) – photo by David Kelly | Artists of The Australian Ballet in The Sleeping Beauty (McAllister) – photo by David Kelly
Review: Michele-Rose Boylan