Birmingham Royal Ballet - Cinderella

BIRMINGHAM ROYAL BALLET'S CINDERELLA IS A TRULY MAGICAL EXPERIENCE THAT DELIGHTS AUDIENCES OF ALL AGES

Cinderella is a classic fairytale and one that is so loved by many and, with its magic and romance, it’s the perfect storyline for a ballet and one that never fails to enchant. When I heard that Birmingham Royal Ballet was bringing their production of Cinderella to Lowry, I knew I had to be there. I love their ballets and having previously reviewed their productions of Sleeping Beauty and Swan Lake, I had high expectations, and once again, this exceptional company did not disappoint. Ballets are always a fantastic night of theatre as they bring together such a range of ages and audience members. I loved seeing everyone from the older generations to young girls dressed in their Cinderella costumes excited to witness the magic.

Birmingham Royal Ballet’s Cinderella is a spellbinding retelling of the classic tale, filled with dazzling choreography, breathtaking costumes, and an exquisite score that brings the story to life in the most magical way. The production follows the familiar story of a young woman who is forced to work as a servant in her own home by her cruel stepmother and stepsisters. After her stepmother does not allow her to attend the royal ball, Cinderella is greeted by her Fairy Godmother who intervenes and makes her dream come true. With a little magic, a pumpkin carriage, and a pair of sparkling ballet slippers, Cinderella’s life is changed forever when she captures the heart of the Prince. |

I particularly loved how the ballet slippers became an integral part of the story. Instead of a glass slipper, it was a sparkly pair of silver ballet slippers that were the key to finding the Prince’s true love. These slippers had already belonged to Cinderella and were not something the Fairy Godmother’s magic had made. These were once Cinderella’s mother’s ballet slippers, bringing a deeper connection to this part of the story and making ballet part of the plot itself. 

From the moment the curtain lifted, the stage was transformed into Cinderella’s world, from the cold and unkind setting of her stepmother’s home to the grandeur of the royal palace. The way the production seamlessly shifted between these two contrasting worlds was truly remarkable, with stunning set design that immersed the audience in the story. 

Cinderella’s home was cold, dull and lacked colour. The set had windows high up to show how she was locked away from the world by being a servant and her costume matched the basic and lifeless set to make it clear just how isolated she was. A pure moment of magic came when the Fairy Godmother appeared, played by Isabella Howard (Don Quixote, The Nutcracker, Romeo and Juliet). Along with her radiant warmth and grace, the set tore apart to reveal the most magical night sky with deep midnight blues and sparkling stars, which was a dreamy contrast compared to Cinderella’s reality. The grandeur of the palace was another huge contrast to the home, demonstrating how the Prince and Cinderella are from completely different worlds. Everything from the flickering fire in Cinderella’s kitchen to the golden glow of the ballroom was perfectly crafted, making it feel like we had stepped straight into the pages of a storybook.

The heart of Cinderella lies in its characters, and this cast delivered performances of the highest calibre. Beatrice Parma (Don Quixote, Giselle, The Nutcracker) took on the titular role, and she was simply mesmerising. Her portrayal of Cinderella was both delicate and powerful, capturing the kindness and resilience of the character with effortless grace. From her hopeless moments of dreaming in the kitchen to the breathtaking pas de deux with the Prince, every movement was delivered with emotion and elegance. Parma had a youthful charm in her performance, which added to the dreamy nature of the character and the hopeless romantic Cinderella is known to be. 

As the charming Prince, Enrique Bejarano Vidal (Black Sabbath - The Ballet, The Nutcracker, Swan Lake) was the perfect match for Parma. Their chemistry was undeniable, and their duets were utterly enchanting. Their grand pas de deux at the ball was one of the evening’s standout moments, with lifts and turns executed so beautifully that the audience was left in awe.

A standout for me had to be the Stepsisters, performed by Eilis Small (Black Sabbath - The Ballet, Cinderella, The Sleeping Beauty) and Olivia Chang-Clarke (The Nutcracker, Swan Lake, The Sleeping Beauty). Their comedic timing and exaggerated movements provided the perfect contrast to Cinderella’s grace, making them an audience favourite. This was such a fun addition to a classic ballet and not something you often see, particularly with the dream-like fairytale storylines. Both Stepsisters brought a unique personality and scene-stealing mannerisms that led to bursts of laughter in the audience. 

The most magical moment was of course Cinderella’s transformation as she prepared to go to the royal ball. It was nothing short of breathtaking and was everything you could wish for when seeing a fairytale brought to life on the stage. It’s a pivotal moment where magic and dance intertwine to bring the fairytale to life and, guided by her Fairy Godmother, Cinderella's world shifts from hardship to enchantment. Cinderella's animal friends add an element of wonder and cuteness as they appear on stage to help get her to the ball; these creatures later appear at the ball having been transformed into coachmen and footmen. Cinderella is also greeted by the Seasons - Spring, Summer, Autumn and Winter - which are personified by four beautiful dancers who bring gifts to enhance her grace and beauty. This is a beautiful blend of choreography, costume design, and storytelling, creating a moment that resonates with audiences and captures the timeless magic of the Cinderella story.

Accompanying the dancers was Prokofiev’s magical score, performed by the brilliant live orchestra and conducted by Paul Murphy. The score filled the theatre with a rich, emotive soundscape and seamlessly carried the audience through moments of heartache, joy, and triumph, enhancing every step of the story.

I have to also mention the costumes as they’re the most beautiful ballet costumes I think I’ve ever seen. The amount of sparkly and sequins just brought an extra level of magic that worked perfectly with this production. The light bouncing off the performers and they danced with such elegance and grace just made the performance completely entrancing. 

Birmingham Royal Ballet has once again proven why they are one of the leading ballet companies in the world. Their Cinderella is a feast for the senses, a truly magical experience that delights audiences of all ages. With its stunning choreography, masterful storytelling, and an enchanting cast, this production is a must-see.

WE SCORE BIRMINGHAM ROYAL BALLET'S CINDERELLA...