Cinderella is timeless – and on a damp Sunderland night this wonderful ballet production transported me to a fairytale world we can all remember from childhood.
I am far from a ballet aficionado – this was my first time at the theatre for a professional show – but seeing this Birmingham Royal Ballet production left me in no doubt as to both the technical skill and the sheer poetry on stage at the Sunderland Empire this week.
Sir David Bintley’s delicate choreography and John Macfarlane’s ethereal set design create a world full of real magic and to watch a cast of stellar performers bring humour and romance to the banks of the river Wear was a real privilege.
Beatrice Parma as Cinderella had poise and elegance – and was able to carry off the quieter moments just as well as the big numbers. The image, repeated in variations a couple of times, of Cinderella stock-still in silhouette in front of a beautiful night-sky backdrop will stay with me for some time.
Like in any version of this story, the evil stepsisters bring humour and silliness to proceedings. Eilis Small and Olivia Chang Clarke had a sense of mischief that constantly tickled the audience. We all know that this is Cinderella’s story – and that the sisters will find putting on a far-too-small glass slipper impossible! – but the pair knew exactly how to use their acting chops and Bintley’s choreography to delight those watching.
(Image: BRB / Amy Hall)
A word, too, for the fairy godmother, frog coachmen and lizard footmen – in the transformative moments when Cinderella’s pumpkin becomes a coach and she gets set for the ball, they managed to float around the stage in a way evocative of the sort of magic we can all remember from childhood.
Little Isabelle Nygyen and Holly Sanders were the adorable mice pages, and I’m sure many youngsters in the crowd will have been astounded by their work. Enrique Bejarano Vidal was our charming Prince – and in a bejewelled outfit (all of the costumes were, frankly, incredible) he was suave and at the heart of some fantastic moments.
The “pas de deux” dancing duet with he and Cinderella was one of the most romantic things I can remember seeing on stage.
(Image: BRB / Katja Ogrin)
And I can’t believe I have written this much without referring to the music from the Royal Ballet Sinfonia conducted by Paul Murphy – their incredible performance plays an equal role in casting fairytale magic across the auditorium. In short, then, I’m a convert. This gorgeous production showcases how ballet is far from stuffy.
If you’re in search of a little stardust and an escape from the springtime showers in the North East, you could do far worse than heading to the Sunderland Empire this week. The BRB production of Cinderella is showing Thursday March 13 to Saturday March 15. Tickets start at £15.
View news Source: https://www.chroniclelive.co.uk/whats-on/theatre-news/cinderella-sunderland-empire-first-ballet-31199044
