Sleeping Beauty opens as King Florestan and his Queen celebrate the christening of Princess Aurora.
Their special guests are the fairy godmothers who bestow their magic gifts on the infant.

But Fairy Carabosse, whose invitation has been overlooked, arrives and takes her revenge by pronouncing that one day Aurora will prick her finger on a needle and die.

The Lilac Fairy intervenes with the promise that Aurora will not die but fall into a deep sleep from which she will be awakened after 100 years by the kiss of a prince.

The production features MacMillan's own contributions to the ballet including the Garland Waltz in Act I, the variations for Prince Désiré and Aurora in Act II, the journey to the castle and awakening, and the Jewels divertissement in Act III.
English National Ballet will perform each production with its 67 international dancers.

Its full orchestra will also perform under the direction of newly appointed Music Director Gavin Sutherland.
The tour opens in Oxford and visits Bristol, Southampton, Manchester and Liverpool culminating in a five week season at the London Coliseum.

For further details visit www.ballet.org.uk, or call English National Ballet on 0207 581 1245.