As the tale of Snow White is thrust into our consciousness via various guises of cinematic remakes, it seems this is no better time than to debut the fairytale story in dance, on stage. A French choreographer with a preluding reputation of success tackles the Snow White storyboard and wrestles it into the confines of a stage, told by dance and illustrious Jean Paul Gaultier costumes. It is of course Angelin Preljocaj who is responsible for the Brothers Grimm fairytale adaptation – indeed his 2008 production is already award winning and, frankly, has taken too long to get itself to London’s theatres. No matter. The wait is over for anyone with a slightly darker disposition will enjoy his re-mastered Freudian stage version. Snow White is of course a classic tale of a wicked Queen looking to destroy the life of her beautiful rival. There is a cast of 25 dancers for this contemporary ballet, who perform to extracts from Gustav Mahler’s symphonies. Preljocaj implements his typically physical choreography, on Thierry Leproust’s dark and intense sets – transporting the audience to a fairytale world, not of innocence and wonder, but drama, magic, romance and a foreboding air of the sinister. The set, costumes and overall production do not sugarcoat the story; indeed this is part of the appeal – especially with Preljocaj – but it does keep within the framework of the original Brothers Grimm story. It is certainly not one to miss – as Gaultier risks thigh-high stilettos, leather and a kick-ass strut to represent a first impression of the evil queen, and Preljocaj lets us run away with the story as it appears in his unpredictable mind. A new interpretation of a classic is available to experience at Sadler’s Wells… Here’s how the audience found the opening night.