Character on the couch: Sleeping Beauty
Each week we subject one of drama's great personalities to psychoanalysis. Today Sleeping Beauty is played by Agnes Oaks. The psychiatrist is Leo Benedictus.
Psychiatrist: Good morning, Princess Aurora. How are you today?
Sleeping Beauty: Well, I feel quite good. I'm quite excited.
P: Why is that?
SB: Because there's a big party for my wedding, and I've had an amazing sleep.
P: Amazing? Why so?
SB: It was long, about 100 years.
P: A hundred years? What do you remember from before you fell asleep?
SB: Well, it was my 16th birthday and everyone was celebrating. But then the fairy Carabosse appeared and presented me with this beautiful bouquet of roses . . . then I pricked my finger.
P: How did you feel?
SB: My head started to spin, and I suddenly fell. That's all I can recall.
P: It could be a panic attack. Perhaps pricking your finger triggered something from your childhood?
SB: Yes! The fairy Carabosse hadn't been invited to my christening and got very angry. She put a curse on me that when I reached my teenage years I would prick my finger and collapse.
P: You knew this was going to happen?
SB: I didn't know until afterwards. My parents had banned needles, pins and spindles from the castle, so I'd never seen them.
P: It is natural to resent your parents for trying to protect you.
SB: I don't. But it would have been helpful to have seen a spindle before. Still, at least I met this wonderful man.
P: How did you meet?
SB: I woke up to this amazing kiss, and as I opened my eyes I saw this gorgeous man, and fell in love instantly.
P: I see. You do realise that this was indecent assault.
SB: No! It was fantastic.
P: And you're not worried about the age difference? You are 116.
SB: No, it's OK. I stayed preserved, so I'm still young.
P: Of course you are. You look great. I think our time is up now. I hope your party goes better than the last one.
· Agnes Oaks is appearing as Sleeping Beauty in English National Ballet's production, which opens at the Mayflower, Southampton, tomorrow. Box office: 023-8071 1811.