Soft gold lighting revealed the royal court before the first variation unfolded. The Sleeping Beauty by Birmingham Royal Ballet, photographed at The Mayflower Theatre on 8 February 2024 in Southampton, carried the scale and structure of classical repertoire, with formal partnering and layered ensemble scenes defining the frame.

Photographing the production required precision at full extension and clarity within large formations. As a UK dance photographer, I focused on symmetry, elevation and the interaction between principal dancers and corps de ballet across the depth of the stage.

The result reflects the discipline of classical technique and the architectural staging that defines this full-length ballet.