Press Release: ENB and ENBS present My First Ballet: Sleeping Beauty

[Jan McNulty]

English National Ballet and English National Ballet School present
My First Ballet: Sleeping Beauty
National Tour
16 April – 9 June 2019
Performance times and ticket prices vary (see below for details)
ballet.org.uk/myfirstballet

 

Photo caption: Evelina Andersson as Aurora and Eric Snyder as Prince Désiré in My First Ballet: Sleeping Beauty

 

English National Ballet and English National Ballet School present a new version of the much-loved fairy-tale ballet, Sleeping Beauty, as part of its My First Ballet series created especially for children as young as three. Adapted to an hour in length and with a narrator to help young audiences follow the story, My First Ballet: Sleeping Beauty is the perfect introduction to the magic of ballet.

 

My First Ballet: Sleeping Beauty opens at The Peacock, London on 16 April until 27 April 2019 before embarking on a tour to Wycombe Swan, High Wycombe (4 & 5 May), Richmond Theatre, Richmond (18 & 19 May) Manchester Opera House, Manchester (25 & 26 May), New Theatre, Oxford (31 May - 2 June) and Assembly Hall Theatre, Tunbridge Wells (8 & 9 June).

 

Featuring choreography by Antonio Castilla, English National Ballet’s Ballet Master and Repetiteur, and Dramaturgy by Lou Cope this new version follows the familiar story of Sleeping Beauty, but with a difference. 

 

Antonio Castilla, Choreographer of My First Ballet: Sleeping Beauty, said:

“I’m excited to be choreographing a second piece for our My First series, which this year is the story of Sleeping Beauty. With this version I want there to be a real focus on the beautiful qualities of each character, with compassion, joy and generosity celebrated. The ballet version of the fairy-tale features well-known characters from other stories, including Little Red Riding Hood and Puss in Boots, who the prince helps and befriends on his journey to find his true love.”

 

Tamara Rojo CBE, Artistic Director of English National Ballet, said: 

“Our My First Ballet series is a fantastic way of introducing new audiences to ballet. This series allows us to present popular ballets in which the choreography, music and narrative are condensed, but the ballet itself is not compromised. Now in our eighth year of the series, I look forward to sharing this new version of Sleeping Beauty with young audiences across the country, and I hope they leave the theatre feeling entertained, inspired and in love with our art form.” 

 

The My First Ballet series is performed by students of English National Ballet School, providing them with valuable rehearsal and performance experience within a professional touring company.

Since its creation in 2012 the My First Ballet series has been enjoyed by over 290,000 people. The series has included the hugely successful performances of My First Ballet: Cinderella, Swan Lake and Coppelia.

To coincide with My First Ballet: Sleeping Beauty, English National Ballet will host on-stage creative dance workshops, aimed to provide a gateway into the world of ballet. Children and their parents/guardians will have the opportunity to learn extracts from the production and bring the characters to life with English National Ballet dance artists and get up close to costumes and scenery.

 

ENDS

 

Notes to Editors

 

Listings

The Peacock, London
16 April - 27 April 2019
Box Office: 020 7863 8222
Tickets: £10.00 – £37.00

 

Wycombe Swan, High Wycombe
4 & 5 May 2019
Box Office: 01494 512 000
Tickets: £13.50 - £28.50

 

Richmond Theatre, Richmond
18 & 19 May 2019
Box Office: 0844 871 7651
Tickets: £12.00 - £27.00

 

Manchester Opera House, Manchester
25 & 26 May 2019
Box Office: 0844 871 3018
Tickets: £12.00 - £27.00

 

New Theatre, Oxford
31 May - 2 June 2019
Box Office: 0844 871 3020
Tickets: £12.00 - £27.00

 

Assembly Hall Theatre, Tunbridge Wells
8 & 9 June 2019
Box Office:
Tickets: £12.75 - £27.75

 

My First Ballet: Sleeping Beauty Symbol Resources 

English National Ballet is delighted to once again be commissioning Widgit to create a range of symbol resources alongside My First Ballet: Sleeping Beauty. These resources aim to make ballet more accessible, supporting written text to make the meaning clearer and easier to understand, aiding literacy and learning for all ages and abilities. Available to download online for free (PDF format) and extra activities are printed in programmes at venues throughout the My First Ballet: Sleeping Beauty tour. English National Ballet’s My First Ballet: Sleeping Beauty symbol resources are designed for use before, during and after performances.

 

English National Ballet 

English National Ballet has a long and distinguished history. Founded in 1950 as London Festival Ballet by the great English Dancers Alicia Markova and Anton Dolin, it has played a major role in the growth and history of ballet in the UK. Today, English National Ballet is renowned for taking world-class ballet to the widest possible audience through its national and international tour programme, offsite performances at festivals including Glastonbury and Latitude, its distinguished orchestra English National Ballet Philharmonic, and being a UK leader in creative learning and engagement practice and delivery, building innovative partnerships to deliver flagship programmes such as English National Ballet’s Dance for Parkinson’s. Under the artistic directorship of Tamara Rojo, English National Ballet has gained new acclaim as it introduces innovative new works to the Company’s repertoire while continuing to honour and reinvigorate traditional ballet.

 

English National Ballet School 

English National Ballet School is a world-renowned specialist training centre for aspiring and highly talented young ballet dancers aged 16 to 19. Founded in 1988 by English National Ballet, today the school exists as a separate entity but maintains strong links with its parent company, sharing its commitment to excellence and access. Its mission is to nurture and develop the next generation of world-class dance artists; artists who are confident and versatile, able to push boundaries and bring their creativity to the fore. Students participate in a three-year programme, validated by Trinity College London, with graduates joining prestigious dance companies worldwide. Currently a third of the dancers at English National Ballet are graduates of the School. The School also offer weekly children’s ballet classes, ENBS Juniors, for 3 – 10 year olds.