Prepare to be enchanted as The Australian Ballet brings back David McAllister's breathtaking production of The Sleeping Beauty in 2025. Returning to mark the 10th anniversary of its celebrated debut, this lavish fairytale promises to captivate audiences with its romance, regality, and wonder.
First gracing the stage in 2015 and then by popular demand in 2017, this iconic production returns under the artistic direction of David Hallberg. "The Sleeping Beauty is an example of a timeless story told through the beauty of ballet," says Hallberg. "This beloved work holds a cherished place in our company’s history and has been a returning favourite for dancers and audiences alike."
The 2025 season will open at the Adelaide Festival Centre’s Festival Theatre from July 22–29, before heading north to Brisbane’s Queensland Performing Arts Centre from August 16–23. The year will culminate with a festive run at the Sydney Opera House’s Joan Sutherland Theatre from November 21–December 17.
Since its 2015 debut, David McAllister’s The Sleeping Beauty has become a defining masterpiece, enchanting both audiences and dancers. The Australian Ballet has performed it 98 times to date, with nearly 150 performances projected by the end of the 2025 season, ensuring each revival reawakens its magic.
Set to Pyotr Ilyich Tchaikovsky’s iconic score, this production unfolds as a truly dreamlike experience. Tchaikovsky’s innovative orchestration, composed in just 40 days, continues to resonate across generations, elevating the drama with its rich harmonies and sweeping melodies.
Technically demanding and visually spellbinding, The Sleeping Beauty is one of The Australian Ballet’s most ambitious productions. From the famous Rose Adage to the breathtaking Act III Wedding Pas de Deux, the production promises extraordinary artistry and an unrivalled spectacle in 2025.
David McAllister’s staging meticulously honours the original 19th-century choreography by Marius Petipa, further elevated by Gabriela Tylesova’s lavish set and costume designs. A multiple Helpmann and Green Room Award-winner, Tylesova brings to life the grandeur of Louis XIV’s court with opulent gilded sets and sumptuous costuming. The production features hundreds of intricately crafted garments, with some tutus weighing up to five kilograms each, transforming the stage into a visual feast of colour, movement, and texture. Adding to the spectacle, 89 custom wigs designed by Alison Kidd ensure every character is brought to life with remarkable precision.
"As we prepare to present nearly 50 performances across the country from July to December, I reflect on how this ballet continues to captivate audiences and remain integral to our storytelling tradition," adds Hallberg. "We’re thrilled to share its magic with a new generation of theatre-goers."
The 2025 season of The Sleeping Beauty is a celebration of elegance and enchantment, inviting audiences in Adelaide, Brisbane, and Sydney to step into a magical fairytale world and experience one of ballet’s most unforgettable masterpieces. This production was made possible by the remarkable generosity of over 2,000 individuals who contributed more than 70% of the production costs in 2015, creating a legacy that will enchant audiences for generations.
Performance Details:
- Adelaide: 22 – 29 July at Adelaide Festival Centre, Festival Theatre (with Adelaide Symphony Orchestra)
- Brisbane: 16 – 23 August at Queensland Performing Arts Centre, Lyric Theatre (with Queensland Symphony Orchestra)
- Sydney: 21 November – 17 December at Sydney Opera House, Joan Sutherland Theatre (with Opera Australia Orchestra)