Scottish Ballet return with Christopher Hampson’s acclaimed version of Cinderella. Originally created for the Royal New Zealand Ballet, it premiered in Europe with the Scottish Ballet in 2015, and it is now touring Scotland (plus Newcastle).

Cinderella and her hen-pecked father and step-family are living drab lives when excitement about an upcoming royal ball kicks off. From the start the stepmother and sisters pick on Cinderella by not letting her be measured for a dress. The show then bursts into full colour as we are transported into a magical forest garden with beautiful flower fairies and the fairy Godmother on a great swing ready to grant Cinders her wish.

The set and costumes by Tracy Grant Lord deserve special praise – from the twinkling pink Godmother to the gorgeous grasshopper and dashing moths, as well as the great enamelled moon and magnificent central tree.

The ballroom scenes dazzle with the ladies in pink and black swinging skirts. Cinderella’s step-sisters (played by Constance Devernay and Aisling Brangan) are also lots of fun with gentle bawdiness and slapstick routines perfectly pitched. The dance of the shorter of the step-sisters when she attempts to entice the Prince is hilarious – she lifts her skirt over her head many times and drops into the splits.

The story is traditionally told with funny moments, which never overpower or try too hard. There’s a clever scene, done partly in darkness, showing women’s bare legs trying on the glass slipper when the Prince hunts for Cinderella in his kingdom. This ballet is a merry festive offering – theatrical and jolly, sparkling and sweet.

Prokofiev’s captivating score is played by the Scottish Ballet orchestra and conducted by Holly Mathieson, and is a joy.

Ailie Hunter
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