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Review: BRB's Cinderella at Birmingham Hippodrome

Posted on Thu 20 Feb

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Review: BRB's Cinderella at Birmingham Hippodrome

Birmingham Royal Ballet’s production of Cinderella is a delight from beginning to end. Recounting this timeless, well-loved tale of true romance, it combines perfect examples of classical ballet in its purest form with lighthearted interludes and a spectacular set. It is the perfect ballet for all ages and pure delight for the eyes and ears.

Choreographed by Sir David Bintley more than 15 years ago, this version of the ballet perfectly depicts Cinderella’s transformation from downtrodden orphan to fairytale princess. Mocked and put down by her stepsisters (Eilis Small and Olivia Chang Clarke) and their mother (Daria Stanciulescu), Cinderella (Yu Kurihara) lives a sad and lonely existence.

The bleakness of her situation is emphasised by the set, a grey and dreary kitchen which she calls home. Contrast this with the final scene, as Cinderella and the Prince (Lachlan Monaghan) walk towards a warm and inviting sun; the result of combining exquisite dancing with Sergei Prokofiev’s dramatic score and John Macfarlane’s exceptional set can truly be seen, and the audience cannot fail to be caught up in the magic created on stage.

Elements of comedy are provided by the pantomime antics of Cinderella’s stepsisters as they attempt to impress at the Ball. The pompous conduct and absurd appearance of those who surround them as they prepare for this event bring further elements of farce; the Dancing Master (Riku Ito), Dressmaker (Jack Easton), Hairdresser (August Generalli) and Wigmaker (Shuailun Wu) underline the arrogance and conceit of the sisters and their mother, making their downfall all the more pleasing to observe.

This is a production in which dancing, music and set combine to create a superb visual spectacle. No detail is missed, from the bright red box containing memories of her mother which Cinderella keeps hidden - a splash of colour in the drab and dismal kitchen - to the ominous ticking of the mechanical clock as midnight approaches and Cinderella realises she must leave the Ball. This magnificent production has been playing to sell-out audiences for many years, and its appeal is easy to see. It truly is unmissable.

5 stars

Birmingham Royal Ballet’s Cinderella was reviewed by Rachel Smith on Wednesday 19 February at Birmingham Hippodrome, where it shows until Saturday 1 March

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