The Australian Ballet is set to captivate audiences once again with the grand revival of David McAllister’s The Sleeping Beauty, returning in 2025 to mark the 10th anniversary of its celebrated debut. First performed in 2015 and brought back by popular demand in 2017, this breathtaking production returns to the stage under the artistic direction of David Hallberg.
The Sleeping Beauty will premiere at Adelaide Festival Centre’s Festival Theatre from 22–29 July, before travelling to Brisbane’s Queensland Performing Arts Centre from 16–23 August. The season will conclude with a festive run at the Sydney Opera House’s Joan Sutherland Theatre from 21 November–17 December, the perfect way to celebrate the holiday season with this spellbinding classic.
A defining masterpiece since its 2015 debut, David McAllister’s The Sleeping Beauty has continued to enchant audiences and dancers alike. Performed by The Australian Ballet 98 times to date with nearly 150 performances projected by the end of the 2025 season, each revival reawakens the magic. Set to Tchaikovsky’s iconic score, this opulent fairytale of romance, regality and wonder unfolds as a truly dreamlike experience.
Technically demanding and visually spellbinding, The Sleeping Beauty is one of The Australian Ballet’s most ambitious productions, from the famous Rose Adage to the breathtaking Act III Wedding Pas de Deux. Every performance pushes the boundaries of what is possible on stage, promising extraordinary artistry and unrivalled spectacle in 2025.
The Australian Ballet’s Artistic Director David Hallberg said:
“The Sleeping Beauty is an example of a timeless story told through the beauty of ballet. This beloved work holds a cherished place in our company’s history and has been a returning favourite for dancers and audiences alike.
As we prepare to present nearly 50 performances across the country from July to December, I reflect on how this ballet continues to captivate audiences and remain integral to our storytelling tradition. We’re thrilled to share its magic with a new generation of theatre goers.”
Composed by Pyotr Ilyich Tchaikovsky in just 40 days, The Sleeping Beauty’s score remains one of the most beloved and innovative in the ballet canon. Tchaikovsky’s orchestration reflects the complexity of the characters, while his use of unique instrumental combinations revolutionised the ballet world. His music continues to resonate across generations, elevating the drama and enchanting audiences with its rich harmonies and sweeping melodies.
David McAllister’s staging honours the original 19th-century choreography by Marius Petipa, elevated by Gabriela Tylesova’s lavish set and costume designs. A multiple Helpmann and Green Room Award-winner, Tylesova brings to life the grandeur of Louis XIV’s court with opulent gilded sets and sumptuous costuming.
The production features hundreds of intricately crafted garments, with some tutus weighing up to five kilograms each. This extraordinary attention to detail transforms the stage into a visual feast of colour, movement and texture. Adding to the spectacle, 89 custom wigs designed by Alison Kidd complete the transformation, ensuring every character is brought to life with remarkable precision.
The 2025 season of The Sleeping Beauty is a celebration of elegance and enchantment, inviting audiences in Adelaide, Brisbane and Sydney to step into a magical fairytale world and experience one of ballet’s most unforgettable masterpieces.
The Sleeping Beauty was made possible by the remarkable generosity of our supporter community. In 2015, over 2,000 individuals contributed more than 70% of the production costs and created a legacy that will enchant audiences for generations.
Creatives Choreography Marius Petipa. Production and additional choreography David McAllister. Composer Piotr IIywich. Tchaikovsky Costume and Set Design Gabriela Tylesova. Design Associate Kat Chan. Dramaturge Lucas Jervies. Lighting Design Jon Buswell.
Synopsis:
ACT I
Scene 1: The Palace Gates
Three peasant women at the palace gates meet a mysterious stranger (Carabosse in disguise). She tempts them to try some knitting needles and a spindle and urges them to come into the palace for the celebrations of Princess Aurora’s 16th birthday. Catalabutte comes past and Carabosse betrays the poor peasant women to him. He gathers up all the spindles and knitting needles, but Carabosse hides one in her cape. The King and Queen arrive, and when they hear what has happened, the King sentences the women to death and invites the disguised Carabosse to the party.
Scene 2: The Palace Gardens
The courtiers are dancing with garlands to celebrate Aurora’s birthday. The King and Queen are anxious for their daughter to choose a husband and introduce four foreign princes to her. She beguiles each one in turn as they present her with roses brought from their kingdoms. When the festivities are at their height, Carabosse steps forward and presents Aurora with the spindle she has smuggled into the party.
Aurora, who has never seen such a thing, is captivated and dances with it until she pricks her finger and collapses. Carabosse reveals herself, laughs triumphantly, and disappears. The Lilac Fairy appears and reminds the King and Queen that all is not lost – Aurora is not dead but sleeping. She puts a spell over the kingdom and all the guests fall asleep.
ACT II
The Palace Grounds
A hundred years later, the gardens and grounds of the palace have grown into a forest. A hunting party comes upon the woodland place, led by Prince Désiré and his friends. The Prince is melancholy, beset by an unnamed yearning, and is more interested in reading his book of fairytales than sporting with his friends. The Lilac Fairy, who is Désiré’s godmother as well as Aurora’s, appears and shows him the image of the sleeping princess. He is overwhelmed, and the Lilac Fairy calls on her woodland nymphs to bring forth the spirit of Aurora to dance for him.
The Prince falls in love with this beauty and resolves to find her. Carabosse tries to tempt him from his quest, but the Lilac Fairy gives him the key that will unlock the glass casket where Aurora sleeps. After a final struggle with Carabosse, he opens the casket and kisses Aurora, waking her and breaking the spell. The whole court awakes, Désiré and Aurora fall in love, and she chooses to marry him; she offers him a rose, which he joyfully accepts.
ACT III
The Palace
To celebrate Aurora’s wedding, the King and Queen give a magnificent, masked ball in the style of Louis XIV, the Sun King of France. Désiré’s friends arrive dressed as characters from his beloved fairytale book. Aurora’s fairy godmothers bring lavish wedding gifts: gold, silver, sapphire and diamond. Amid much dancing and merriment, Désiré and Aurora are married, and blessed by the Lilac Fairy. After their wedding, they are crowned: they will succeed to the throne and will rule over the kingdom in peace and happiness.
The Sleeping Beauty runs from 22 July and tours to Adelaide, Brisbane and Sydney. See below for dates.
Tickets are available here!
Website: https://australianballet.com.au/performances/the-sleeping-beauty
Socials: https://www.instagram.com/ausballet/
Photo credits: Simon Eeles
The Sleeping Beauty Performance Details:
Adelaide
22 – 29 July, Festival Theatre, Adelaide Festival Centre
With Adelaide Symphony Orchestra
Brisbane
16 – 23 August, Lyric Theatre, Queensland Performing Arts Centre
With Queensland Symphony Orchestra
Sydney
21 November – 17 December, Joan Sutherland Theatre, Sydney Opera House
With Opera Australia Orchestra
