ASHLEY Shaw is preparing to bring a little bit of pre-Christmas magic to audiences at The Lowry as a classic fairytale gets the Matthew Bourne treatment.

Ashley is the award-winning choreographer’s ‘go to’ dancer. She’s been part of his New Adventures company for 12 years and in 2022 alone has starred in three different - and very diverse productions - The Nutcracker, The Car Man and now Sleeping Beauty.

She will be returning to the role of Princess Aurora for the third time as Sleeping Beauty takes to the stage next week as part of a tour marking the show’s tenth anniversary.

The Oldham Times: Ashley Shaw in Sleeping Beauty (Picture: Johann Persson)

“In a way it’s a bit like putting on a comfortable old cardigan,” she said of the role, “in that I am familiar with it. But I first played her 10 years ago and I’ve grown and developed since then and therefore the character will do too. I always like to bring something a little different to any role whether it’s the first time I’ve played it or, in this case, the third.”

Based on the classic fairytale and featuring a score by Tchaikovsky, Sleeping Beauty caused a sensation when it premiered 10 years ago. The blend of classical and contemporary dance and a storyline which spans a century from the Edwardian era to modern day attracted new audiences to dance.

Matthew Bourne is well-known for taking traditional ballet and turning it on its head and in Sleeping Beauty he has created a Gothic world where vampires lurk and love conquers all.

“Each time we return to a show Matt likes to refresh it and rethink it so it never does stay the same,” said Ashley.

“Sleeping Beauty is such a classic fairytale. There have been loads of different versions in books, in art and and on the stage.

“Our version is visually stunning - the design and costumes are amazing. For us it’s a four act ballet and each act has a very different look and world to it. We take the audience through more than a 100 years and even before we dance, visually it’s spectacular.”

Any Matthew Bourne production is a fully immersive experience for the audience and for the performers they have all played their part in creating this two hours of escapism.

“Matthew is so fabulous at giving us a bit of creative freedom,” said Ashley. “He’s so open to changing things. He really is remarkable and a genius at what he does.

The Oldham Times: Ashley Shaw as Princess Aurora in Sleeping Beauty
                                                          (Picture: Johann Persson)

“I have been fortunate to be in at the start of several works including Sleeping Beauty and The Red Shoes and you get to see how he works and see the process and how his ideas come into being. A lot of it actually happens in the rehearsal room. Obviously there has been a lot of work beforehand but he likes to see his dancers and things come out of that. It’s really nice to be involved in a big chunk of that process.”

Ashley believes that Sleeping Beauty would be an ideal first time production for someone who has never experienced a spectacular dance production before.

“I think Matthew has a way of telling a story in general that is always such a good gateway for people who maybe are a bit scared of ballet or are unfamiliar with it,” she said. “People are always surprised as to how easy the story is to follow even without words.

“Sleeping Beauty is a classic fairytale which the majority of people know at least the outline of, then Matt as usual, adds his own a little twists.”

It’s every little girl’s dream to be a princess, so does Ashley recognise herself in Princess Aurora?

The Oldham Times: Ashley Shaw in Sleeping Beauty (Picture: Johann Persson)

“There are definitely elements of me in there,” she said. “We’re both quite mischievous and I can be quite playful.

“But she’s probably slightly more wild than I am; I think I’d respect the royal dress codes and things like that a bit more than her.

“It’s always good to find the similarities between yourself and the character you are playing and bring those out so it seems more natural. Pretending to be fun and playful is not fun and playful, you need to actually go there. Fake joy is easy to spot.”

Being at the centre of the production is a hugely demanding role.

“It’s a bit of a marathon,” conceded Ashley. “It’s a role which demands a high level of technique. It’s not a show you can just act through and the dance doesn’t matter. It’s also emotionally challenging as well because Aurora does go through such a journey.”

For much of the production Ashley also dances barefoot which presents its own challenges.

The Oldham Times: Ashley Shaw in Sleeping Beauty (Picture: Johann Persson)

“Because I’m more ballet trained I’m not as comfortable dancing barefoot,” she said. “In some ways it’s easier than being en pointe but it does tear your feet to bits.”

Sleeping Beauty is far more than a dance production, it’s a complete story brought to life on stage.

“We are a narrative company; we are telling a story,” said Ashley. “It’s that combination which makes it so special.”

Sleeping Beauty, The Lowry, Salford Quays, Tuesday, November 22 to Saturday, November 26. Details from www.thelowry.com