Sleeping Beauty

Following their 2022 performances of Swan Lake, the Royal Czech Ballet return to Australia with their presentation of the classic masterpiece, Sleeping Beauty.

Sleeping Beauty follows the story of Princess Aurora. When the bad fairy Carabosse is not invited by the King to the Princess' christening, she casts a spell on the Princess that will mean she will die if pricked by a needle from the age of 16. The King tries to protect his daughter by banning all needles in the Kingdom, however Princess Aurora accidently pricks her finger on her sixteenth birthday. 100 years later, a handsome prince stumbles upon the Sleeping Beauty, Princess Aurora, where she is awoken from her sleep and witchcraft is defeated.

Natalia Kusch

Playing the role of Princess Aurora is Natalia Kusch. Natalia was born in Nikopol, Ukraine. She began her dance career with the 1990 at the Opera and Ballet Theatre in Ukraine before moving to Vienna to study classical ballet. From 2005 Natalia was a soloist with the Vienna State Ballet, before moving to Australia to work as a principal dancer with Queensland Ballet. In 2015 she joined the Australian Ballet under David McAllister.