Prokoviev's 'Cinderella', as said in my review for the very good performance with Matthew Golding, is in the shadow perhaps of 'Romeo and Juliet', but is every bit as wonderful a ballet. Saw it at the Hippodrome in Birmingham in my first year at the Conservatoire and have never forgotten the production or the ballet itself.
This production is along with the one with Frederick Ashton the best available of 'Cinderella'. Birmingham Royal Ballet have done a huge amount of great productions, and deserve more of their work made available on DVD, their 'Cinderella' is one of my favourites of theirs. Based on one of the most timeless stories and on a wonderful ballet, a production of 'Cinderella' should enchant, charm and entertain. Three things that the Birmingham Royal Ballet production does better than a vast majority of other productions available.
Visually, the sets are beautiful and in perfect keeping with the story's tone, some of it almost like stepping into an incredible dream that one doesn't want to wake up from. Some of them are some of the most unique of any ballet production seen recently, but not in a way that gets in the way of the story. The lighting is atmospheric and magical, while the costumes are also striking to look at.
David Bintley's choreography is remarkably mature, in perfect keeping with Prokoviev's complex but very much accessible music and doesn't ever resort to distaste or anachronistic and irrelevant nonsense. The slapstick with the stepsisters is hilarious and beautifully timed, Dumpy is just hilarious, while the end of Act 1 divertissements enchant and sparkle and the intimate parts are simply exquisite. Also appreciated that the bond with Cinderella and the Prince is developed well and brings a great deal of heart. The ending is also very movingly done.
Musically, it's an outstanding production. The orchestral playing constantly rouses and glitters, while energetic, nuanced or mysterious, and the conducting is sympathetic and alert. Regarding the DVD itself, video directing is mostly fine, with a good mix of the expansive and the intimate, and the picture and sound quality are top-notch.
Nothing to complain about with the dancing either, with hilarious step-sisters (especially Dumpy), magical fairies, a deliciously cruel step-mother, Elisha Willis' effortlessly captivating Cinderella and Iain Mackay's charming Prince.
Overall, Birmingham Royal Ballet's 'Cinderella' is not to be missed if one wants to see how it, or any ballet, should be done. 10/10 Bethany Cox
This production is along with the one with Frederick Ashton the best available of 'Cinderella'. Birmingham Royal Ballet have done a huge amount of great productions, and deserve more of their work made available on DVD, their 'Cinderella' is one of my favourites of theirs. Based on one of the most timeless stories and on a wonderful ballet, a production of 'Cinderella' should enchant, charm and entertain. Three things that the Birmingham Royal Ballet production does better than a vast majority of other productions available.
Visually, the sets are beautiful and in perfect keeping with the story's tone, some of it almost like stepping into an incredible dream that one doesn't want to wake up from. Some of them are some of the most unique of any ballet production seen recently, but not in a way that gets in the way of the story. The lighting is atmospheric and magical, while the costumes are also striking to look at.
David Bintley's choreography is remarkably mature, in perfect keeping with Prokoviev's complex but very much accessible music and doesn't ever resort to distaste or anachronistic and irrelevant nonsense. The slapstick with the stepsisters is hilarious and beautifully timed, Dumpy is just hilarious, while the end of Act 1 divertissements enchant and sparkle and the intimate parts are simply exquisite. Also appreciated that the bond with Cinderella and the Prince is developed well and brings a great deal of heart. The ending is also very movingly done.
Musically, it's an outstanding production. The orchestral playing constantly rouses and glitters, while energetic, nuanced or mysterious, and the conducting is sympathetic and alert. Regarding the DVD itself, video directing is mostly fine, with a good mix of the expansive and the intimate, and the picture and sound quality are top-notch.
Nothing to complain about with the dancing either, with hilarious step-sisters (especially Dumpy), magical fairies, a deliciously cruel step-mother, Elisha Willis' effortlessly captivating Cinderella and Iain Mackay's charming Prince.
Overall, Birmingham Royal Ballet's 'Cinderella' is not to be missed if one wants to see how it, or any ballet, should be done. 10/10 Bethany Cox
