In a groundbreaking ballet, Scottish Ballet is set to astound audiences with a revolutionary twist in their upcoming production of Cinders.
Each night, although lead casting will be announced in advanced, as the curtain rises, spectators will be greeted with a surprising departure from tradition: on some evenings, Cinders will be portrayed as a woman, swept off her feet by her Prince, while on others, Cinders will be a man, swept off his feet by his Princess.
This innovative approach promises an exhilarating and unpredictable experience for theatergoers who will eagerly anticipate discovering which version of the ballet they will witness on any given night.
The production, staged within the enchanting backdrop of a turn-of-the-century draper’s store, boasts a meticulously crafted, art-nouveau-inspired set adorned with exquisite details.
Additionally, the resplendent costume designs promise to captivate the audience’s imagination.
Set against the backdrop of Cinders’ family-run emporium, tragedy strikes leaving Cinders without any parents. Enter the formidable new proprietor, Mrs. Thorne, along with her three insufferable children, who subject the orphan to disdain and transform the store ridding it of the liveliness it once had.
Amidst the chaos, excitement, and hilarity surrounding the announcement of the Royal Ball, while the Thorne family prepares for the event, Cinders seeks refuge in an enchanted rose garden and undergoes a magical transformation into a vision of sophistication and beauty, primed to charm all in attendance at the ball.
Cinders Rehearsal Video
“Working with Christopher Hampson on his new Cinders for me personally has been very exhilarating. To give this new fluidity to the leading roles means exploring ways in which the character Cinders, traditionally the ‘poor’ Cinderella, can be a person of grit, determination and strength, which ultimately leads to them creating their own happy ending.
I hope the audience enjoys this new twist on a beautiful classic, which now highlights how anyone can have a hand at shaping their own future. It’s not just for fairytales.”
– Jessica Fyfe, Guest Principal Dancer
“What I’ve found most interesting about swapping the roles of the Cinders leads is just how different and new it’s made the ballet feel.
We all know and love the classic story of Cinderella, but this new version means we’re suddenly working in this amazing upside-down realm, where the male part (previously a more traditionally stoic character) is a complex mixture of vulnerability and resilience, and the female role (usually quite timid and downtrodden for most of the original ballet) is empowered and full of charisma…
I’m excited at the prospect of exploring this further and sharing that with the audience!”
– Bruno Michiardi, Scottish Ballet Principal Dancer
Choreographed by Hampson and brought to life by the visionary designs of Elin Steele, Cinders is further elevated by Sergei Prokofiev’s rich and irresistible score, performed live by the Scottish Ballet Orchestra.
This production promises to capture all the enchantment and allure of the classic fairytale while infusing it with a sparkling, fresh, and innovative perspective, sure to delight and amaze audiences.
Theatre Royal, Glasgow
December 9-31, 2023
Festival Theatre, Edinburgh
January 5-20, 2024
His Majesty’s Theatre, Aberdeen
January 24-27, 2024
Eden Court Theatre, Inverness
January 31 – February 3, 2024
Theatre Royal, Newcastle
February 7-10, 2024
Featured Photo of Bethany Kingsley-Garner and Jerome Anthony Barnes on the set of Scottish Ballet‘s Cinders campaign shoot. Photo by Mihaela Bodlovic.
