Review: My First Ballet: Cinderella, Sadler’s Wells

Anyone who knows me understands that I am passionate about quality performance for young audiences. Thankfully, in recent years we’ve seen a rise in considered work tailored to everyone from babies upwards and offering classic forms ranging from opera to circus. It’s delightful therefore to see that English National Ballet continues its programme of work for families, offering this simply beautiful production of My First Ballet: Cinderella at Sadler’s Wells East. This, the newest of their venues, actively promotes quality work for young audiences, and Cinderella undoubtedly hits the spot.

This new production, aimed at ages 3+, is choreographed by George Williamson and performed by students of the English National Ballet School Graduate Artists Programme. Sergei Prokofiev‘s classic, evocative work is trimmed from a lengthy two to three hour piece into a neat one hour and twenty minutes with an interval. It succinctly distils the drama and emotions of the full production, presenting it with a recorded score that enables touring, so allowing more people a chance to be exposed to top quality adaptation. And for the young audience this is a real event – an opportunity to dress up in finery and embrace the elegance and theatrical splendour of live ballet. Princesses and princes alike fill the auditorium, enthralled by the show.

In this version of the tale, Cinderella’s true love is nature, and our imagination is sparked into life by the gorgeous set (Rachael Canning) and lighting (Steve Mackie) design that reflects this. Drawing on the drama of the natural world, we’re immersed in the sound of gently tweeting birds, while flowers frame the stage. A cloudy moon speaks of the mysteries of the night and is aesthetically haunting, given particular emphasis by the contrasting, brashly unnatural colourings of the stepsisters’ costumes.

Helping to make the ballet accessible to such young spectators, a hybrid style of storytelling here supplements the movement and music by using an additional narrator. In this case it is the fabulous Kate Donnachie who is tasked with giving voices to all the characters in the tale, from the evil stepmother to her awful daughters, to the lovely Cinderella herself. Charismatic and talented, she dynamically portrays the characters with clarity and warm humour. Her role is almost an active conduit between the audience and the elevated artform, inviting easy access for young spectators as Donnachie guides them through the energies of the piece. Alongside the dancers’ graceful hand actions, she uses supported signing to elucidate events, adding an extra level of understanding.

Of course the incredible dance still speaks for itself, and everything you might dream of is here: pirouettes and pointes, lifts and splits, from a cast of superbly talented young performers. Highlights include hilarious slapstick moments from the stepsisters, but there are also fabulous solo performances with colourful animal characters and exciting ensemble pieces that simply dazzle with their intricacy. Canning’s costume design is at times thrilling, with outstanding choices for the Fairy Godmother and Stepmother that embrace the drama to its fullest.

This is a lovely tale of finding your true self, caring for nature and forming friendships, and even though there were some really very young children at the performance I attended, just about all of them sat absorbed by the show throughout. During the interval and post-show many used the foyer space to dance themselves, or dragged their carers off urgently to get to the supporting workshop. Clearly this positive first ballet experience might well be the jumping off point for many more.

Artistic director National Ballet: Aaron S Watkin
Artistic Director National Ballet (school): Lynne Charles
Choreographer: George Williamson
Set and Costume Designer: Rachael Canning
Lighting Designer: Steve Mackie

My First Ballet: Cinderella runs at Sadler’s Wells East until Sunday 12 April.