Sidmouth’s theatre welcomes professional ballet company for first time

A PROFESSIONAL ballet company will perform for the first time in Sidmouth this April.

Ballet Theatre UK will stage The Sleeping Beauty for one night only at Manor Pavilion Theatre on Monday, April 16, at 7.30pm, as part of a spring tour of a dramatic new production of this ballet.

This internationally acclaimed company, with music director Christopher Moore, will offer striking stage sets, elegant costumes and Tchaikovsky’s memorable score to tell the story of this much-loved fairy tale of Princess Aurora, cursed by the wicked Fairy Carabosse to prick her finger on a spinning wheel and die on her 16th birthday.

When the Lilac Fairy counters the spell so the princess sleeps for 100 years, only a true love’s kiss can awaken her.

Sidmouth’s theatre manager, Graham Whitlock, said: “I first contacted the company over six months ago. After detailed talks and planning, I am delighted they have chosen to visit us.”

He said the company had been getting rave reviews and Sidmouth was “very lucky to have this booking as they would normally play much larger venues.

“This is professional ballet at affordable prices at your local theatre.”

Tickets, priced �15 (�10 for under 16’s) are now on sale from the theatre box office, open Monday to Saturday 10am to 2pm, (01395) 514413.