FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Vladimir Malahkov’s The Sleeping Beauty Brings Together
World-Renowned Ballet Stars with HKB Artists for a Dazzling Debut
[Hong Kong — 12 May 2026] Once upon a time, a young princess is cursed to sleep for a hundred years until awakened by a prince’s kiss. Hong Kong Ballet (HKB) is honoured that China Minsheng Bank Hong Kong Branch proudly presents the beloved fairytale ballet The Sleeping Beauty 29 May - 7 June with international guest artists: The Australian Ballet Principal Artist Davi Ramos, Dutch National Ballet Principal Dancer Maia Makhateli, National Ballet of Canada Principal Dancer and former HKB dancer Tirion Law and Bolshoi Ballet Principal Dancer Elizaveta Kokoreva.
Celebrated choreographer Vladimir Malakhov returns to Hong Kong with his new The Sleeping Beauty (after Marius Petipa) following his successful La Bayadère for HKB in 2023. Featuring Spanish designer Jordi Roig’s stunning new sets and costumes and Tchaikovsky’s timeless score performed live by Hong Kong Philharmonic Orchestra under the baton of Robert Reimer, The Sleeping Beauty shines as Princess Aurora and Prince Desiré triumph over the evil fairy Carabosse. Tickets are available now at URBTIX for ten performances at Hong Kong Cultural Centre’s Grand Theatre.
Named ‘best male dancer in the world’ by Dance Magazine for ten consecutive years, Malakhov is considered one of ballet’s most respected creative voices today, and his notable accolades include major competition prizes in Varna, Moscow and Paris. He shares that, ‘The Sleeping Beauty is a ballet of emotions and elegance that summarizes all that is beautiful: Tchaikovsky, storytelling at its best, hope and desire.’ Malakhov will also play the wicked fairy Carabosse in select performances.
Dazzling International Guest Artists
On 2 May 2026, Davi Ramos was promoted to Principal Artist at The Australian Ballet, making him the first Brazilian principal artist in the company’s history. Born in the Vidigal favela of Rio de Janeiro, Ramos began ballet at age 13 after his capoeira teacher encouraged him to attend his first class. He trained at Lyceu Escola de Dança before earning a scholarship to The Royal Ballet School in London after his impressive performance at the Prix de Lausanne in 2016.
Dutch National Ballet Principal Dancer Maia Makhateli returns to the HKB stage after her stunning turn in HKB’s 45th Anniversary International Ballet Gala, when Hong Kong Economic Journal noted, 'Makhateli’s dancing was refined, her long balance on pointe was sensational.' Audiences will be thrilled again by her artistry as Princess Aurora in The Sleeping Beauty, which Seeing Dance described as ‘musicality, purity of line and total security in the role’ and calling her classical dancing a joy to watch. She won Dance Europe’s 2020 Dancer of the Year and the 2015 Alexandra Radius Prize.
Former HKB dancer and current National Ballet of Canada Principal Dancer Tirion Law will have a very special homecoming this month. Born in Hong Kong, she performed with HKB for three years before joining National Ballet of Canada in 2018 as a corps de ballet member. In 2024, she was promoted to Principal Dancer onstage following her debut as Kitri in Carlos Acosta's Don Quixote. From Hong Kong to Toronto and back to the HKB stage, Law brings both star power and a deeply personal connection to The Sleeping Beauty. She is also passionate about sharing glimpses of a dancer’s daily life on social media, boasting an impressive social media following of 340,000 fans. Her approachable and charming personality has won over the hearts of audiences worldwide.
Bolshoi Ballet Principal Dancer Elizaveta Kokoreva is the company’s youngest-ever prima ballerina. Born in Moscow into a family of ballet artists, Elizaveta graduated from Moscow State Academy of Choreography in 2019 and joined Bolshoi Theatre Ballet Company the same year. With her youthful brilliance and regal elegance, she was promoted to leading soloist in 2022 and then to principal dancer in 2023. At only age 22, she is already acclaimed for her exceptional artistry and radiant stage presence, and we can’t wait to experience her as Princess Aurora in The Sleeping Beauty.
The Sleeping Beauty: From Page to Stage
Discover The Sleeping Beauty’s timeless magic at a special Hong Kong Cultural Centre exhibition 13 – 25 May 2026! This immersive showcases reveals how a classic fairytale has been woven throughout the centuries, from page to stage, tracing the birth of a ballet masterpiece.
Explore the creative journey behind this iconic production, beginning with Ivan Vsevolozhsky commissioning The Sleeping Beauty from Marius Petipa and Pyotr Tchaikovsky. See how generations of artists have shaped its enduring beauty and how Vladimir Malakhov carries this legacy forward today.
HKB has collaborated with Sweetdream to co-curate the “Capture the Sleeping Beauty" photo contest for this vibrant exhibition, featuring a beautifully decorated photo area that invites visitors to step into an enchanted world and snap the most creative sleeping pose for a chance to win a prize. Don't miss the chance to immerse yourself in the magic of The Sleeping Beauty!
Special Meet-and-Greet
Awakening the Dream: An Afternoon with The Sleeping Beauty
Join HKB Artistic Director Septime Webre and choreographer Vladimir Malakhov at an intimate afternoon tea with the show’s brilliant guest principal artists: Davi Ramos, Maia Makhateli and Tirion Law on 25 May 2026 during 3:00-5:00pm at The Ozone, The Ritz Carlton Hong Kong, an elegant elevated rooftop venue with breathtaking panoramic city views. Guests will explore Malakhov’s celebrated adaptation of the beloved fairytale and hear about how today’s leading dancers embody the spirit, technique and emotional depth of this timeless classical masterpiece. Ticket holders of The Sleeping Beauty can enjoy a special offer to join the meet-and-greet event. Please stay tuned to Hong Kong Ballet’s social media channels for details (Facebook or Instagram).
Download High Resolution Photos
Hong Kong Ballet
China Minsheng Bank Hong Kong Branch Proudly Presents: The Sleeping Beauty
29.5.2026 (Fri) 7:30pm*
30.5.2026 (Sat) 2:30pm^ & 7:30pm*
31.5.2026 (Sun) 2:30pm* & 7:30pm*
4.6.2026 (Thu) 7:30pm*
5.6.2026 (Fri) 7:30pm*
6.6.2026 (Sat) 2:30pm^ & 7:30pm*
7.6.2026 (Sun) 2:30pm*
Grand Theatre, Hong Kong Cultural Centre
Tickets are now available on URBTIX
*$1,200 (limited VIP tickets), $760, $560, $400, $260
^$1,000 (limited VIP tickets), $680, $480, $320, $180
Half price for local full-time students and senior citizens
Recommended for ages 3 and above
The performance lasts approximately 2 hours 30 minutes, including an intermission
Creative Team
Choreography: Vladimir Malakhov (after Marius Petipa)
Music: Pyotr Ilyich Tchaikovsky
Set & Costume Design: Jordi Roig
Lighting Design: Jacopo Pantani
Video Design: Enrico Pazzagli
Assistant to the Choreographer: Alessandra Pasquali
Assistant to the Set Designer: Enrique Conde Martinez
Live Orchestra: Hong Kong Philharmonic Orchestra
Conductor: Robert Reimer
Special Appearance
Vladimir Malakhov
29 May 7:30pm & 30 May 7:30pm
Guest Appearances
Davi Ramos (Principal Artist, The Australian Ballet)
29 May 7:30pm & 31 May 2:30pm
Maia Makhateli (Principal Dancer, Dutch National Ballet)
30 May 7:30pm & 31 May 7:30pm
Tirion Law (Principal Dancer, National Ballet of Canada)
4 June 7:30pm & 6 June 7:30pm
Elizaveta Kokoreva (Principal Dancer, Bolshoi Ballet)
7 June 2:30pm
For further information, please contact:
Alexia Chow | Director of Marketing | T: 2105 9721 | [email protected]
Jane Ng | Assistant Marketing Manager | T: 2105 9757 | [email protected]
About Hong Kong Ballet
Hong Kong Ballet (HKB) is recognised internationally as a world-class institution that represents Hong Kong's unique character. Since its inception in 1979, HKB has evolved into a vibrant performing arts organisation with a dynamic repertoire, forward-thinking community engagement initiatives and an emphasis on excellence.
Comprised of 50 dancers from all over the globe – Hong Kong, Chinese Mainland and other parts of Asia, Australia, New Zealand, Europe and North America, HKB has won recognition both regionally and internationally with celebrated re-stagings of the classics, neoclassical masterworks by George Balanchine and others and original ballets created for HKB and about Hong Kong. Additionally, HKB performs works by its Artistic Director Septime Webre and some of today’s most sought-after choreographers, including Alexei Ratmansky, Christopher Wheeldon, Wayne McGregor, Justin Peck, Jiří Kylian, Nacho Duato and Annabelle Lopez Ochoa as well as innovative new works by its Choreographer-in-Residence, Hu Song Wei Ricky, and numerous emerging Hong Kong choreographers.
HKB stands out as a dynamic Hong Kong cultural ambassador, sharing its unique repertoire and style with audiences in Europe, North America, Chinese Mainland and Asia. With over 50 international tours since its founding, recently HKB performed or was presented immersive works in Macau, Venice, New York, London, Seoul and Shanghai. HKB maintains the Hong Kong Academy of Ballet, a professionally-oriented ballet school, as well as a full schedule of award-winning community programmes and crossover collaborations throughout Hong Kong to ensure ballet is accessible to all. HKB has also produced engaging original videos and dance films that have collectively garnered over 10 million views online, connecting with ballet lovers worldwide.
