Carabosse the Wicked Fairy

The Ballet Russes put on regular seasons in London from 1919 onwards. This costume relates to Diaghilev's lavish production of The Sleeping Princess, premiered at the Alhambra Theatre in November 1921.

The Sleeping Princess was a modern version of Tchaikovsky's famous classical ballet The Sleeping Beauty. It was designed as a spectacular show with special effects and what would have been perceived as "exotic" Russian qualities that would appeal to a mass English audience. No expense was spared but the production was a financial flop.

The costume of Carabosse, the Wicked Fairy was designed by Leon Bakst (1866-1924). It has the sumptuous colours and dramatic patterns that made the Russian ballet's reputation before the First World War. By the 1920s bold colour had become less unusual and some avant-garde artists even began to dismiss the Russian ballet's lavish style as too populist.

The role of Carabosse was usually danced by Mme Carlotta Brianza, but on one occasion was taken by the famous elderly dancer Enrico Cecchetti.