Cinderella

Overview

I went with high expectations and they were more than met. Cinderella, as told by the Royal New Zealand Ballet is simply enchanting.

I'd gone to the previous RNZB production of NYC: Three Short Ballets from the Big Apple and had been completely blown away not only by the calibre of the dancing but the inventiveness of the production. But when I heard they would be performing Cinderella, I felt slightly disappointed. I thought they had chosen a safe option; a story familiar to the public and one that had proven popular before. Following its 2007 premiere, it became the RNZB's biggest box office success ever. In revisiting this classic however, choreographer Christopher Hampson and his troupe of dancers have managed to make this time old story completely their own.

In this version, the wicked stepsisters Clytie Campbell and Adriana Harper stand out for their ability to be completely abhorrent and hilarious at the same time, Cinderella's step mother Lucy Balfour is cast as a sultry sexier version and the fairy godmother is no grandma-like character but a beautiful angelic young woman played by Abigail Boyle.

Full praise must go to principal dancer Lucy Green, who plays Cinderella. The fact she only graduated from Victorian College of the Arts in 2008 makes the flawless nature of her performance all the more impressive. Qi Huan also shone in his role as prince and when they danced together, it was mesmerising. As polished as their performances were, the dancers ability to embue their characters with emotion was what really elevated this show for me. A common complaint among people who don't enjoy dance performances is they don't 'get it'. Well, I don't see how that opinion would apply here.

Adding to the performances was the incredible set design by Tracy Lord Grant, particularly the marvellous chandelier-adorned ballroom. Her costumes matched the set design in their beauty, gorgeous use of colour and detailing and Sergie Prokkofiev's powerful score provided the perfect musical accompaniment. From start to finish an inspiring romance-filled production.