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The Sleeping Beauty

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Overview

Sir Kenneth MacMillan’s exquisite ballet will leave you spellbound.

For wonder and enchantment, look no further than this classic fairytale ballet. Experience all that is grand, gleaming and gorgeous in a stunning version of one of the world’s favourite stories.

As a baby, Princess Aurora is cursed by the wicked Carabosse: on her 16th birthday, she will prick her finger and die. Her godmother the Lilac Fairy alters the spell so Aurora will not die, but sleep for 100 years. Only a true love’s kiss can break the spell and awaken her.

From Aurora’s christening in the grand hall of the palace, to her jubilant wedding celebrations, the bewitching fairy tale is brought to life before your eyes.

Brimming with beautiful choreography and sumptuous sets and costumes (by legendary designers Nicholas Georgiadis and Peter Farmer), you will be whisked away to an enchanted land and a story of good versus evil. This lavish spectacle is heightened by one of Tchaikovsky’s greatest ballet scores, played live by English National Ballet Philharmonic.

UK Tour Sponsor: Cunard

3 Reasons to see

A fairytale ballet that enchants audiences of all ages.
Exquisite dancing, sumptuous sets and sparkling costumes.
Tchaikovsky’s glorious music, performed live by English National Ballet Philharmonic.

Reviews

The best Beauty in Britain, with a warmth and confidence that make the tale’s magic sing out.

The Independent

The production is one to savour. The orchestra does full justice to Tchaikovsky

The Times

Splendid. The fairy tale masterpiece is fully honoured

The Sunday Times

The fairytale finale was simply a feast of excellent dancing

The Sunday Express

Worth waking up for... the company dances with confidence, elegance and a touch of humour

The Stage

A masterpiece reawakened with love

The Daily Telegraph

A thoroughbred creation

Financial Times

All airiness and light

Evening Standard

A triumph... MacMillan's timeless staging brings out the best in ENB

The Arts Desk

Want to learn more?

Meet the team

  • Thu 23 October 2025, 7:00pm - Liverpool Empire
  • Fri 24 October 2025, 7:00pm - Liverpool Empire
  • Sat 25 October 2025, 1:30pm - Liverpool Empire
  • Sat 25 October 2025, 7:00pm - Liverpool Empire
  • Wed 19 November 2025, 7:30pm - Palace Theatre, Manchester
  • Thu 20 November 2025, 1:30pm - Palace Theatre, Manchester
  • Thu 20 November 2025, 7:30pm - Palace Theatre, Manchester
  • Fri 21 November 2025, 7:30pm - Palace Theatre, Manchester
  • Sat 22 November 2025, 1:30pm - Palace Theatre, Manchester
  • Sat 22 November 2025, 7:30pm - Palace Theatre, Manchester
  • Wed 26 November 2025, 7:00pm - Mayflower Theatre, Southampton
  • Thu 27 November 2025, 1:30pm - Mayflower Theatre, Southampton
  • Thu 27 November 2025, 7:00pm - Mayflower Theatre, Southampton
  • Fri 28 November 2025, 7:00pm - Mayflower Theatre, Southampton
  • Sat 29 November 2025, 1:30pm - Mayflower Theatre, Southampton
  • Sat 29 November 2025, 7:00pm - Mayflower Theatre, Southampton
  • Thu 25 June 2026, 7:30pm - Royal Albert Hall, London
  • Fri 26 June 2026, 2:30pm - Royal Albert Hall, London
  • Fri 26 June 2026, 7:30pm - Royal Albert Hall, London
  • Sat 27 June 2026, 2:30pm - Royal Albert Hall, London
  • Sat 27 June 2026, 7:30pm - Royal Albert Hall, London
  • Sun 28 June 2026, 2:00pm - Royal Albert Hall, London
  • Sun 28 June 2026, 7:00pm - Royal Albert Hall, London
See casting for all dates

Please note casting is subject to change. Casting for Royal Albert Hall to be announced.

Kenneth MacMillan

Choreography (after Marius Petipa)

Pyotr Ilyich Tchaikovsky

Music

Peter Farmer

Set Design

Nicholas Georgiadis

Costume Design
See casting for all dates

Performances

Liverpool Empire

Thu 23 Oct 2025 - Sat 25 Oct 2025
Thu 23 Oct 2025
Fri 24 Oct 2025
Sat 25 Oct 2025

Palace Theatre, Manchester

Wed 19 Nov 2025 - Sat 22 Nov 2025
Wed 19 Nov 2025
Thu 20 Nov 2025
Fri 21 Nov 2025
Sat 22 Nov 2025

Mayflower Theatre, Southampton

Wed 26 Nov 2025 - Sat 29 Nov 2025
Wed 26 Nov 2025
Thu 27 Nov 2025
Fri 28 Nov 2025
Sat 29 Nov 2025

Royal Albert Hall, London

Thu 25 Jun 2026 - Sun 28 Jun 2026
Thu 25 Jun 2026
Fri 26 Jun 2026
Sat 27 Jun 2026
Sun 28 Jun 2026

The Sleeping Beauty costume appeal

Join us in preserving the magic of Sir Kenneth MacMillan’s masterpiece
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More Access

Find out more about access at our touring venues.
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