The Lilac Fairy is the most important fairy. She is the last fairy to give Aurora a special present at her Christening party. She is very kind and softens Carabosse’s curse on Aurora so that she will not die but will instead sleep for 100 years. She also casts a spell on the entire family, keeping them safe.

Fact - an old Russian good luck charm was to give a baby a sprig of lilac or actually place the cradle under a lilac bush.

The Lilac Fairy is a storyteller in the ballet and she uses classical mime to tell the story. Many traditional ballets tell the story, not only through dancing, but also with gestures called pantomime, or mime for short.

Do Together

Watch the clip of the Lilac Fairy using mime to soften Carabosse’s curse below. Discuss with your child what the gestures might mean. 

Try mime for yourself:

• copy the Lilac Fairy's classical mime from the short clip
• Try the mime gestures below
  • Forget/think -Touch you forehead with the index finger
  • Die – Clench both your hands into fists and then cross you wrists in front of your body in a low position. Arms are straight.
  • Engaged or Married – Point to your ring finger (left hand, 3^rd finger)
  • Anger/Angry - bend you elbows with fists pointed towards the sky. Shaking them

What to look out for in the performance 

In the Prologue, look out for Carabosse and The Lilac Fairy using mime. Can you see any other characters using gestures and mime?

Well done! You have completed all the tasks and are now as clever as our Fairies of Wisdom.