I saw two performances in Glasgow and last nights in Edinburgh.  Two casts were involved as the absence of advance information meant I could not work it so I saw 3 different casts.  There were slight variations in the minor roles so I saw 3 different dancers in some of the roles.

The first thing I would say is that all the performances I saw were very enjoyable and the dancing was also superb.  I did not see Claire and Eric dance the lead this year but do not feel short changed in the least.  The standard is high whatever the cast.  What I do enjoy is seeing the slight differences in interpretation when different dancers take on the roles.

Sophie Martin makes a wonderful Aurora.  Her dancing is spot on but she plays the part so well too.  Adam Blyde made an elegant Prince and they are well matched.  Vassillissa Levtonova made a very regal Lilac Fairy and you are drawn to her when she is on stage

I also saw Soon Ja as Aurora and Tama Barry as her prince.  Tama Barry is a more explosive and energetic interpretation of the prince.  Luciana Ravizzi was the Lilac Fairy and danced it beautifully.

I couldn't separate Kara McLaughlin and Victoria Willard as Carabosse.  Both seemed to relish the chance to play the wicked fairy.

I do enjoy this version of Sleeping Beauty as the number of times I have seen it testifies.  The choreography staging and music come together to create a great spectacle.  I had 2 other people with me, including one who had never been to a ballet.  Both really enjoyed it and would be tempted to go to another. 

Our ticket winner from the 'Who is your Sleeping Beauty this year' picture competition winner sent me a note on how she enjoyed the performance:

I attended the performance of Sleeping Beauty on Christmas Eve with my 19 year old daughter (not the mother of Scott from the picture) compliments of Scottish Ballet Sleeping Beauty Competition. The seats were excellent in the Dress Circle. I prefer to watch ballet straight on , centre Dress Circle is my preference.

I had attended 2 previous performances and was delighted that Tomomi Sato danced Prinesss Aurora. She is so beautiful and extremely graceful, for me she will always be The Sleeping Beauty although my Grandson Scott is in equal first place! Tama Barry complimented Tomomi, they made a lovely couple. My daughter Victoria was impressed by William Smith. I just love faries and seeing them dance in front of me was magical (maybe one day I will grow up, hopefully not for a long time!). Costumes were beautiful. We enjoyed the performace very much and it was a lovely start to the Festive Season so Thank You very much for a lovley afternoon!

They all must work so hard, as must the non dancers - the sets and costumes were amazing too, I especially loved the dresses in birthday party act, although the woodland outfits at the beginning were fabulous too.

I just feel bad I couldn't clap any louder at the end but I did my best!!

Thanks for a wonderful evening

I truly loved every second of it - the dancers, costumes, sets and music were all superb.

Carabosse and her minions were my personal favourites - forgive me for saying, but I half expected a loud explosion at the top of the stairs as the final curtain dropped ... having all that time to plot while Aurora lay sleeping, she feigned her remorse about the cactus incident, in order to be allowed to present a bomb disguised as a toaster at the wedding.

.. maybe I should just learn to enjoy happy endings.

Oh - on the subject of the toaster ... was wondering if it was bought, or made for the performance?  I've never seen such fine appliance.

And thanks for posting the picture - I have a wedding gift to find myself, and can think of nothing better ... If only I could hand it over with such balletic skill.

I really love the last act too - the dresses are all amazing, especially Red Riding Hood's. And please tell me where I can find a hat with a shoe on it like Cinderella's!

So glad I got to see it again - I think it was even better than last year. Can't wait for Carmen now!

My son Joshie and I finally managed to get to see The Sleeping Beauty on it's last day in Belfast and it was brilliant...

My son's favourite dancers were Sophie Martin as Princess Aurora and Mark Kimmett as The Bluebird, but he really adored Michael Bawtree as conductor and conducted with him the whole length of the ballet...

Myself, I adored Sophie Laplane as Carabosse and Louisa Hassell and Freya Jeffs who played her daughters.... Also a huge nod to The Bluebird and Vassilissa Levtonova as the Lilac Fairy and Aurora's parents- Paul Liburd and Soon Ja Lee....

Particular moments we loved: The waltz before Aurora came out, the dance between Aurora and her suitors... any point The Bluebird was on stage, whenever Carabosse and her daughters were being evil-espcially when they kept dropping the 'baby' Aurora... when the four suitors approached the prince after he woke Aurora; and he showed them the four fairytal ladies ...and the beautiful dance between Aurora and the prince at the end.... it was so romantic...

I must also say the costumes were fantastic... utterly wonderous.... and suited the ballet perfectly... as did the wonderfully played music... you have gotten me and my son(who is only 4) totally hooked... get used to seeing us in the audience... we're going to go as often as is possible from now on...

TRUELY WELL DONE!

Chris and Joshie.

SEATBELTS; NOT AS CONFINING AS WHEELCHAIRS.

BACTERIA; THE ONLY CULTURE SOME PEOPLE HAVE.