The ethereal magic of Sleeping Beauty meets cutting-edge performance art in Ballet of Lights in Hobart. Held in a city where ballet has long been part of the cultural fabric—from the historic Theatre Royal to community-rooted dance schools—this event blends classical elegance with luminous innovation. The iconic fairy tale is reimagined through glowing costumes, original choreography, and the timeless grace of ballet dancers.
This isn’t The Sleeping Beauty you remember from childhood. Through glowing fibre-optic-embedded costumes and expressive movement, the performance breathes new life into the classic tale of a cursed princess, a hundred-year sleep, and a spell-breaking kiss. Set to enchant on select dates at Mount Nelson Theatre at Hobart College, Australia’s oldest continually operating theatre, the venue offers an atmospheric setting worthy of this enchanting ballet. There’s limited seating so don’t sleep on this.
Ballet of Lights: Bringing Sleeping Beauty to Hobart
Ballet of Lights is a shimmering take on the beloved tale, merging tradition with technology to captivate modern audiences. With a cast of dancers, the show emphasizes expressive movement over words, supported by recorded music and a dreamlike use of props and lighting.
The production is a condensed version of the full-length ballet, highlighting the emotional high points while remaining accessible for all ages 5+. Embedded lights in the dancers’ costumes glow in sync with their movements, underscoring every pirouette and plié with visual poetry. This union of classic ballet and innovative stagecraft invites both seasoned dance lovers and new audiences to experience the timeless magic in a whole new way.
The Sleeping Beauty Told Through Light, Music, and Dance
Since its early roots in 14th-century literature, Sleeping Beauty has evolved through centuries of storytelling—from Charles Perrault’s The Sleeping Beauty in the Wood to the Brothers Grimm’s Little Briar Rose. This fantastical tale has long inspired ballet, with the 1890 adaptation by Marius Petipa and music by Tchaikovsky becoming a staple of the classical canon. Ballet of Lights captures the essence of this dreamlike narrative. It’s ballet—but reimagined for today’s world.
From the 1959 animated classic to modern stage interpretations, Sleeping Beauty has been adapted time and time again—but rarely with such imagination. The dreamlike and fantastical quality of this tale makes it an ideal candidate for a visual and sensory performance like Ballet of Lights.
Audience Reviews of Ballet of Lights: Sleeping Beauty
Ballet of Lights has dazzled audiences across the world, garnering 4 and 5-star reviews. The Hobart reviews are incoming but here’s what other audiences have had to say:
Los Angeles
“This was an amazing family friendly show! I will be going to more!”– May 17
Perth
“Too good!!!!” – May 17
Brisbane
“My first time watching ballet and it was awesome.” – April 24
Ballet of Lights: Sleeping Beauty is more than a show—it’s a glowing tribute to Hobart’s rich ballet heritage and a testament to its future. With a blend of historic venue, innovative choreography, and mesmerizing visuals, this limited-run event promises to light up the city’s cultural scene. Take yourself to another world with tickets!