
Lynette Wills and artists of The Australian Ballet. Photography Jeff Busby
David McAllister envisaged his Carabosse as more furious than evil. Instead of being merely wicked, as she is in most productions, she is the Fairy of Wisdom, the eldest of the fairies. Her totem is the owl. Lynette Wills, on whom David created the role, recalls the "back story" he gave her: "Carabosse used to be the 'lead fairy' but she has been retired, unwillingly made redundant, and she’s not happy. When she’s not invited to Aurora’s party, it tips her over the edge."