Northern Ballet’s Cinderella review: A magical interpretation of the well-known classic fairy tale.
Photo: Bill Cooper
The soaring music of Philip Feeney whisks you off on an enchanting evening, with the Northern Ballet. The story begins in the Russian countryside with a celebratory family picnic, however, an accident occurs and Cinderella’s father dies.
Cinderella (Rachel Gillespie) is distraught at the death of her father (Mlindi Kulashe) and is forced into a life of servitude and drudgery. Time passes and Cinderella (Antoinette Brookes-Daw) gets opportunities of escapism when she visits the winter market and sees the jugglers, stilt walkers, and the magician. Yet again Malindi Kulashe enchants us with his dancing, delights and mystifies us with his magic in his role of the magician at the street market.
The set changes seamlessly from the drab prison-like kitchen to the glittering frosty crystal lake, where Cinderella’s dancing on ice catches the attention of the Prince (Kevin Poeung) and his friends. Cinderella returns home to find her stepmother (Minju Kang) tearing up her invitation to the winter ball. She is alone and shivering whilst her stepmother and sisters are out when the magician knocks on her door. He transforms the cooking range into a splendid sleigh pulled by huskies, comically acted by the dancers.
The dancing is breathtaking and the technique and choreography is first class. The extravagant, opulent costumes of the courtiers at the ball are exquisite and the scenery is lavish and beguiling. Time becomes distorted and this is cleverly depicted by quick scenery changes and the use of a clock.
Northern Ballet’s Cinderella is a wonderfully magical production that keeps the audience entranced and enchanted. An evening not to be missed; Christmas has come early.
Cinderella is running at the New Victoria Theatre in Woking until 21st September 2019.
