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.
What’s on at Ballet of Lights in Hobart?
Ballet of Lights: Sleeping Beauty in a Sparkling Show
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.
What is Ballet of Lights?
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.
Reviews of Ballet of Lights In Hobart
Ballet of Lights has dazzled audiences across the world, garnering 4 and 5-star reviews. Here are the Hobart reviews.
“Absolutely brilliant. Would definitely watch it again. It was mine and my daughters first time at the ballet (I’ve always wanted to watch it!) My daughter is nearly 11 and loves anything ballet. She wants to be a ballerina one day up on the stage. – December 19
“Amazing costumes!“ – December 19
“I really enjoyed it, fantastic 👌” – December 19
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!