"Sleeping Beauty" (2012) Flashcards
When was “Sleeping Beauty” created and performed?
2012, and has been on tour in 2022.
What is the subject matter for “Sleeping Beauty”?
A reinvention of Petipa, Walt Disney, and Perrault’s original stories with a gothic take, exploring the themes of good vs evil, sleep, gothic, and fairies vs vampires.
How is Bourne’s “Sleeping Beauty” influenced by Walt Disney’s “Sleeping Beauty”?
Directly influenced by the theme of Good versus Evil.
How is Bourne’s “Sleeping Beauty” influenced by Petipa’s “Sleeping Beauty”?
Isnpiration from commedia dell’arte where a young man presents a rosebud to represent the blossoming love, In the original choreography Aurora takes the rose from the suitors and throws them away to reject marriage
What is the structure of “Sleeping Beauty”?
A narrative ballet in four acts which progress through time, 1890 The baby aurora > 1911 Aurora’s coming of age > 2011 Aurora wakes up > Yesterday Aurora’s wedding
Who created the music score for “Sleeping Beauty”?
Tchaikovsky and Paul Groothius (sound designer)
Who is the set designer for “Sleeping Beauty”?
Les Brotherston
How does the costuming of “Sleeping Beauty” reflect a range of cultural influences?
The four acts are all of different time periods, Les Brotherston researched each period’s style and fashion to reflect in the costuming of the dancers, which changes to more modern clothing within Acts 3 & 4 in comparison to the Gothic/Victorian clothing of Acts 1 & 2.
Describe Bourne’s use of memorable and lavish sets within Act 1 of “Sleeping Beauty”
The golden curtains of Aurora’s bedroom are drawn into the flies to reveal the frand windows, with a projection of a full moon, shining on Aurora’s gold cot SL. Behind the window is a light haze across the stage to hide the travelators. Before each act, there is a projection which describes the story and the year to the audience, making the work more accessible for all ages, even those who don’t know the story.
Feature of ICDS: Use of technology/projection.
What is the significant about the physical setting of Act 1 of “Sleeping Beauty”?
In Aurora’s bedroom (opening), there are travelators which show the magical elements of the fairies, as if they are floating into her bedroom. The fairies enter with their leg in arabesque, holding a candlestick with their leading arm with a slight bend, the other arm is held behind straight.
Feature of ICDS: Inclusion of technology, physical setting to inform choreographic intention.
How is the puppet of Aurora used in “Sleeping Beauty”?
The puppet is used to create moments of humour. A doll of baby size wearing a white night gown and bonnet, controlled by rods allowing it to move via puppeteers, who are also members of the company and wear all black to be hidden. The puppet climbs up the curtains and looks up the maids skirt, creating humour and foreshadowing Aurora’s carefree and playful attitude later in the work.
Feature of ICDS: Physical setting to inform choreographic intention, inclusion of technology.
Give a movement example that shows the influence of the music, through music visualisation in “Sleeping Beauty”
Movement: As Aurora goes to touch the black rose, a thunderbolt strikes and she runs away. The music changes to a very slow tempo, with a loud volume. Aurora then runs to Leo SR, and jumps into his arms, she arches her back with her chest raised. Following the crescendo of the music, with a crash of the cymbals as he catches her.
Interpretation: Creates tension for the audience, implying that the curse has finally worked.
Feature of ICDS:
