The Sleeping Beauty in rehearsal (The Royal Ballet)

The event will see presenter Kirsten O’Brien joined by former Director of The Royal Ballet Monica Mason to explore this iconic Royal Ballet production.

Set to music by Tchaikovsky, the ballet holds a special place in the Company’s repertory – it reopened the Royal Opera house in 1946 after World War II, and was the first production staged at The Royal Ballet’s new home in Covent Garden.

The ballet has become synonymous with a number of Royal Ballet greats, not least Margot Fonteyn, and this Insight event will offer audiences the chance to see the Company's current crop of dancers follow in their footsteps as they rehearse extracts from the work.

As well as exploring the history and choreography of the ballet, its fairytale origins will also be discussed by Dr Jenny Bavidge, Academic Director for English Literature at University of Cambridge.

[lasylphide-sj]

Truly grateful to Royal opera house and Royal Ballet for being so generous with your rehearsal streams and uploads. You are truly in the forefront of opera houses in the world when it comes to share videos and live streams on YouTube.

[milicaruzic]

Monica Mason seems like a dream to work with! she's extremely kind and polite, yet still posesses an incredible ability to pass the knowledge onto those she is teaching

[slimyweasles]

This rehearsal was the first time I learned that ballet can have "dialogue" with standardized mimes for important words. It really opened my eyes to a whole other dimension of the art that I had never known about, and I can now appreciate ballet much more. Thank you very much! Carabosse's entrance is now one of my favorite scenes in all of ballet because of this experience.

[glynnwright]

Ballet is a mysterious world for most men, even those that are keen followers of opera and the classical music repertoire. These broadcasts give us, men, an insight into the athleticism and artistic interpretation of ballet, the absence of which makes it much harder for me, at least, to appreciate what I am seeing. Thank you for allowing us to view your rehearsals, you do ballet a great service by organising these broadcasts.

[balletfan]

Anna Rose is such a beautiful dancer! Very much looking forward to seeing how her career develops.

[erpollock]

Just saw a rehearsal of this scene from 5 years ago when Kristen McNally was new to the part, she seemed insignificant - until she started incorporating Monica Mason's corrections. Immediately, she became Carabosse. She understood what was being described, she was transformed. Kristen McNally is one of my favorite dancers in the company because she has such an inner fire. Much underestimated.

[steve-ljvy]

Great to see Tierney, not only is she a good soloist but she comes from just down the road from where I live.

[karenkaren]

Tierney, Anna Rose and Samantha are all so beautiful!

[Kugelsuse]

Monica Mason is really great, she is the best carabosse ever!

[sorakheart]

I always get so eager when a video comes live, thank you so much

[carolynbognar]

I love these videos and live streaming. Being retired and living in Hungary, they keep me connected to my ballet heritage. What a wonderful way to share the world of dance.

[leacobb]

It is always a brilliant experience to see character development. Excellent effort put in by all. xx

[znamoperu]

What an amazing rehearsal video yet again! There are future principals in these two girls, no doubt, they're excellent.

[siegfried]

What more can one say about Monica that hasnt already been said even though she dances no more she is an inspiring and so instructive teacher= I remember always loving how she brought real drama to her roles but never going over the top so it seemed forced or false a bit like Lynn Seymour another brilliant dramatic dancer

[Brenda-onhy]

Always such beautiful work in your company.

[HeavenlyTennyo]

Love these videos! Anything with Dame Monica is guaranteed to be fantastic. But really, of all the presenters, this one, Kristen?, was fantastic. ROH, please do have her again, as she is exemplary in leading a discussion compared to your other presenters.

[alicewhite]

Wow - what an insight - lovely to see, especially Sam Raine - a huge inspiration to us in Malton!! x

[mariapspadopulou]

I enjoyed watch ii in Athens! Thank you ROH!!!

[femkes]

There's so much theatre in ballet, never thought about that before.

[IvoryBleach]

that lady is nicer than any instructor i've seen