Sleeping Beauty - Saddlers Wells Royal Ballet

This appears to have been a made-for-US-TV recording dating from the 1950s: unfortunately, the first thing to greet you is a notice to say that while the original transmission was in colour, the only saved recording is in black and white, which is a shame. Also, it *is* over 50 years old, and this is reflected in the recording quality, which is not good - the picture becomes very fuzzy towards the edges. Oh, and it's not the complete ballet, either, but cut down to less than half its normal running length: the Rose Adagio and the Grand Pas de Deux are both incomplete, for example.

That's the downside. On the upside, it features Margot Fonteyn recorded in her 'signature' role of Princess Aurora and still at the height of her powers, Michael Somes as her prince, Beryl Grey as the Lilac Fairy and Frederick Ashton playing the evil fairy Carabosse. Plus it is the Oliver Messel production so dear to the hearts of a number of older ballet fans (although the sets are severely cut down as the performance is filmed in a studio rather than onstage), which the Royal Ballet in the 21st century has now tried to restore. It does look dated in performance style to modern eyes, but what is clear is the impact that Fonteyn must have made in the title role, especially on the company's first tour to the United States. (Mind you, I have a sneaking suspicion that some of the film may have been speeded up slightly - it does look incredibly fast.)

Great to see such an early production being saved for future generations. Margot Fonteyn is, of course, fabulous and even though this a very shorted production it brings the story to life. A wonderful reminder of the early days in ballet history in England. If you want to see what all the fuss was about Fonteyn, have a look at this.

Perhaps it depends on your DVD player, but I have to agree that both picture and sound quality were rather poor. Also it is an American television production and heavily cut - it only runs for just over an hour. Still it's well worth watching for the beautiful Fonteyn, the over-the-top Carabosse of Sir Frederick Ashton, and to contrast the 1950's 'austerity' production with later more affluent ones.

Recorded on 425 lines and 51yrs old. Unwatchable. The edges are blurred and the middle squashed in. Unless a distant relative in the recording don't bother.

This is really lovely. The dancing is spot on and it being in black and white doesn't take anything away from it at all. Great!