You might be watching at home, at school, or with friends or family. You can choose a place that feels comfortable. You can adjust your lighting, seating and sound so the space works for you.
You’ll need a device that connects to the internet. If something buffers or pauses, that’s normal; the stream usually resumes after a moment. You can step away at any time, pause the stream, or return later.
You’ll be watching a live performance from the stage of the Sydney Opera House. Cameras will show wide views of the stage, close-ups of the dancers and views of the orchestra.
Before the performance, and during the break in the middle of the performance, you'll see and hear people talking about the experience of making and dancing The Sleeping Beauty.
The story is told through music and dance. No one speaks. The dancers show the characters’ feelings and relationships through movement, facial expression and gesture. The music helps show the mood of each scene.
The full performance is made up of a short Prologue and three Acts. There is a break between Acts I and II, and another between Acts II and III. You can take your own break whenever you choose.
You’ll see a celebration in a palace as the King and Queen introduce baby Aurora to their fairy godmothers. Each fairy gives Aurora a gift through a short dance.
A darker scene follows when Carabosse, who feels left out, gives Aurora a curse. This moment has strong music and dimmer lighting. The Lilac Fairy then softens the curse to protect Aurora.
The scene moves to Aurora’s 16th birthday celebration. The space is bright and lively, with lots of dancing. Aurora meets four visiting princes. Carabosse returns in disguise and gives Aurora a spindle.
Carabosse returns in disguise and gives Aurora a spindle. Aurora dances with it and then pricks her finger, making her fall asleep. The Lilac Fairy casts a gentle spell so everyone else in the palace also falls asleep. The dancers are pretending, and the calm lighting and slow movements show this part of the story in a gentle way.
A hundred years pass. You’ll see a forest setting where Prince Désiré meets the Lilac Fairy. She shows him a vision of Aurora, and he decides to find her.
Carabosse tries to stop him, and the lighting becomes darker again. The Prince reaches Aurora’s glass casket, opens it with the Lilac Fairy’s help, and wakes Aurora with a kiss. The music becomes bright as the spell breaks.
The last act is a joyful wedding celebration for Aurora and Désiré. You’ll see characters inspired by fairytales, colourful costumes and formal dancing.
This part of the ballet is bright and festive. The Lilac Fairy blesses the couple, and the ballet ends with Aurora crowned as the future ruler of the kingdom.
When the show is over, the dancers will bow, and some people will stand and clap. If you want to clap, you can.
Jonathon Lo is our Music Director, and you’ll see him conduct the orchestra during the livestream. Watch the musicians play as he leads the music for the performance.
Theatrical pyrotechnics (flash pots) create quick, bright flashes of light and a small “pop” sound. These moments are brief. Fog and haze are used to create atmosphere on stage. They look like soft mist and are not harmful.
Music plays the whole time. Some sections are louder or faster during dramatic scenes. Lighting becomes dimmer when Carabosse appears, and the music may feel more intense.
You can turn the volume down, look away, or take a break at any time.
You can watch in whatever way feels comfortable. Some people prefer headphones; some prefer low volume or captions. You can move around, hug a pillow, or take a break. The livestream will still be there.
After the livestream, you might want to talk about the parts you enjoyed the most, like your favourite dances, characters, or costumes. You could share your thoughts with friends, family, or your class, or write or draw about what you saw.
You can also choose to do nothing at all. There is no right or wrong way to reflect after the ballet; whatever makes you feel happy or curious is fine.
If you have questions about the livestream experience or want more details, our Customer Experience team can assist you. You can call 1300 369 741 during business hours (Monday – Friday, 9am – 5pm, excluding Victorian public holidays) or submit an online enquiry.
