Review: SCOTTISH BALLET’S CINDERS!, Festival Theatre Edinburgh - Tour

Photo credit: Andy Ross

For their winter production, Scottish Ballet have taken the well-known story of Cinderella and given it a twist, turning it into Cinders! In this production, audiences only discover when they arrive whether the character of Cinders will be danced by a female or male dancer, with the prince or princess being danced by the opposite gender. This is a charming spin on a story everyone knows, and it adds a freshness to this production without feeling like a cheap gimmick.

For our performance, we were treated to a male Cinders, danced gorgeously by Evan Loudon, and a Princess Louise, performed with poise and authority by Marge Hendrick. This provided a really interesting look at the traditional gender roles in ballet – it’s so rare to see a male dancer displaying such vulnerability and tenderness, and likewise a female dancer having the opportunity to take on a more commanding, powerful role.

We see no fairy godmother in this production, no mice, pumpkin carriages or glass slippers. Instead, Cinders is an orphan, living in the ruins of their family’s tailor shop. When American heiress Mrs. Thorne takes over the shop, she brings her three horrible children with her, taking the place of the step-family in the original story. Cinders’ transformation for the ball is brought about with the help of visions of their parents in an enchanted rose garden.

Christopher Hampson’s choreography is very engaging throughout, with traditional choreography intermingled with sections of real comedy. Although the ball scene drags a little, the majority of the piece is fast-paced and easy to follow. Particular highlights include the mischievous dukes (Javier Andreu and Aarón Venegas) teasing their sister with the slipper, and the Thorne siblings (Grace Horler, Kayla-Maree Tarantolo and Thomas Edwards) each performing a garish, showy routine in an attempt to woo the princess and/or dukes. Special mention must go to Tarantolo for managing to dance so badly, no mean feat for a trained professional, we’re sure!

The sets and design by Elin Steele are beautiful and really immerse us in Cinders’ world. The ball costumes are muted yet suitably sparkly, which allow for the Thornes to really clash in their gaudy bright outfits, and the golden gates to the palace lend a real sense of elegance to the setting. Scottish Ballet’s orchestra play Prokofiev’s sumptuous score exceptionally under Wolfgang Heinz’s baton – it is so wonderful that Scottish Ballet continue to use a live orchestra for their productions as it adds such a lift to the whole piece.

This is a charming night at the ballet, with a 21st century twist that we feel was played out perfectly. We’re sure that whether you have the delight of seeing a female Cinders or a male Cinders, you’ll leave feeling cosy, cheered and comforted.

**** Four stars

Reviewed by: Lorna Murray

Scottish Ballet’s Cinders! plays at the Festival Theatre in Edinburgh until 20 January, before visiting Aberdeen, Inverness and Newcastle.