A Victoria Children’s Theatre production
Music: Peter I. Tchaikovsky
Choreography: Marius Petipa
Staged by Victoria Mironova, Artistic Director
Elena Dmitrieva, Choreographer

January 17 and 18, 2009, 6:00 P.M.

CAST: Students of the professional and after-school divisions of the Victoria Ballet Academy as Princess Aurora, Prince Desire, the Lilac Fairy, the Carabosse Fairy, Prince Florestan, Princess Florine, Jewels, Cavaliers, Naiads, Pages, Puss in Boots and White Pussycat, Wolf and Little Red Ridinghood, Blue Birds, Aurora’s Friends, Fairy tale creatures, and others.

With the generous support of The W. Garfield Weston Foundation and Children First School Choice Trust

Address: Richmond Hill Centre for the Performing Arts

Inquiries: 905-707-7580
Victoria Ballet Academy
7751 Yonge St., Thornhill
www.victoriaballet.com

To Order Tickets via the Online Box Office
Website: http://richmondhill.ticketwindow.ca/

To Order Tickets by Phone
Tel: 1-877-700-3130, Mon - Fri, 9 a.m. - 7 p.m.
If in Southern Ontario call (519) 473-3320

Online Box Office Inquiries
Tel: 1 (519) 434-9700

E-mail: info@ticketwindow.ca
Website: http://richmondhill.ticketwindow.ca/

The ballet “Sleeping Beauty” is a most entertaining and educational experience for both children and adults. Its first production of 1890 was a turning point in the history of theatre. The Victoria Children’s Theatre and the Victoria Ballet Academy follow the great traditions of this classical ballet.

SYNOPSIS

ACT I

People are celebrating the birthday of little Princess Aurora at the palace. Children dance the Waltz of the Flowers. Fairies, who are invited, present their gifts to the Princess: the Fairy of Wisdom, Fairy of Tenderness, Fairy of Courage, Fairy of Bread Drops who promises a fortune, the Canary Fairy who brings serenity and cheerfulness, the Fairy of Beauty, and the Lilac Fairy, who brings to the Princess the main present – kindness. Suddenly, the outraged wicked Fairy Carabosse, who was not invited, interrupts the celebration. She vows to avenge the insult and promises that the Princess will die by the prick of a poisoned weaving needle. The Fairies try to calm her down but she is relentless. Luckily, the Lilac Fairy breaks the spell and says that the Princess will only sleep for 100 years, when her true love will awaken her with a kiss.

Intermission

ACT II

The Princes has turned 16, reaching the age of majority. She is beautiful, blooming like a flower. The Cavaliers from neighbouring kingdoms seek her attention but none touches her heart. Secretly, she waits for Him, the Prince, whose kiss will bring her a new life, love and happiness. But now, she carelessly enjoys herself with Friends and Pages. An elderly woman enters the garden and presents the Princess with a beautiful bunch of roses.

Aurora cannot see the hidden needle that pricks her finger with poison. Aurora is scared, she does not want to die, she begs for help, and then she faints. The old woman throws her coat of, and everyone is horrified to recognize the wicked Fairy Carabosse. The Lilac Fairy appears and reminds, to calm down the family and guests, that Aurora is not dead but sleeping. With her fairy stick she casts a spell of sleep for 100 years on the entire kingdom.

Intermission

ACT III

100 years have passed. Young Prince Desire is entertained by hunting. The Lilac Fairy and beautiful Naiads appear in front of Desire and lure him into the Palace, where Princess Aurora is sleeping. Desire has to fight and defeat Carabosse, standing in his way, to free the way to the Palace. Desire is struck by the beauty of Aurora and kisses her. Aurora is awakened wondering how long she has slept. The young man in love bends his knee and asks Aurora to marry him. Aurora agrees with joy. The Lilac Fairy awakens the kingdom with her fairy stick. Among the guests, there are the characters of Charles Perrot’s tales: Princess Florine and Prince Florestan with Blue Birds, White Pussycat and the Puss in the Boots, Little Red Ridinghood and the Wolf. The Prince presents Aurora with gemstones: Diamond, Sapphire, Emerald and Ruby. The Fairies bless all the people and disappears. Lastly, we have the joyous wedding of the Prince and Princess.