Northern Ballet is renowned for creating unique interpretations of classic stories and Cinderella is no exception.
The colourful tapestry of Russia lends new magic and wonder to this very traditional story. Rather than a fairy godmother, a magician is one of the central protagonists and in preparation for the production Northern Ballet’s dancers have been learning magic and circus skills.
Artistic director David Nixon said: “The production is so huge it’s been touted by our technical department as Northern Ballet’s biggest show to date. It’s a magical family production which is an interesting interpretation of the story – not Disney-fied.
“Audiences can expect something that is beautiful and fantastical to look at.
“The dancing, as with all Northern Ballet productions, will be of the highest level and there will something unexpected.”
He added: “We wanted another addition to our Christmas season ballets repertoire which already includes ballets such as Peter Pan, Beauty & the Beast and The Nutcracker.
“Cinderella is one of the most popular pantomime titles so it’s the obvious choice, although my Cinderella is far from the pantomime interpretation. Amidst all the action, magic and fun lies the story of a real woman and man who must travel separate roads to ultimate happiness even though that journey is fraught with challenges. Cinderella is ultimately a joyous story but it isn’t without pain, grief and loneliness.”
And he revealed why he opted to set it in Russia, adding: “Historically, Russia has had a lot of princes, meaning that we wouldn’t need a king’s son for the story and it was also a time of superstition and belief in magic which really lends itself to the scenario. We also wanted a winter scene for the ballet and Russia is identified with very cold and very beautiful winters.”
The production features a new musical score written by Philip Feeney.
David said: “Philip creates exciting music for dance and is well respected in the field, working with many other dance companies. I was never completely happy with the Prokofiev score.”
Philip said: “It is Northern Ballet’s dedicated commitment to narrative ballet and to new scores that keeps bringing us together.
“A specially commissioned score opens up so many possibilities with a narrative ballet, allowing for great dramatic swiftness of foot which can be blocked by using existing music and tugging and pushing it into shape in order to fit the synopsis.
“The Russian flavour is quite prominent in the score, certainly in the heady mix of street fair music that explores the same tradition harvested by Stravinsky in Petrouchka. But there are also quite a few audio references to Russian folk instruments such as the balalaika and the dulcimer, digital software which can be heard as part of the orchestral texture.”
Set designer Duncan Hayler said: “I met the composer where we discussed ideas before I went away for a few weeks and came back with small model boxes to give a three dimensional sketch of what I think we should do. Then comes the fun part for me when David gives me the freedom to go off and be creative and invent everything.
“After these smaller models have been approved, I then create a bigger model which is used by the workshops until it becomes a full size reality on stage. I think the process from the beginning to the drawings being ready takes anything from four to six months before anyone has actually built anything.”
The ballet is peppered with magic and the cast were trained by magician Richard Pinner, who said: “There’s no pumpkin turning into a coach.
“The magic is incidental as well as integral and the set itself is quite magical. With our magician character, his magical journey is from not being able to do a card trick to near Jedi as his powers grow stronger and stronger.”
Cinderella is at Leeds Grand from now until Saturday, January 4.
Northern Ballet is hosting a family day this Sunday. Dec 22
Starting at 1pm, families can take part in a fun and creative workshop based on the company’s new production Cinderella.
The event will be held at the company’s Quarry Hill home in Leeds.
During the hour-long workshop which is suitable for children of all ages from four upwards, families will explore the story and characters from Northern Ballet’s Cinderella, learn steps from the production and enjoy creative activities together as a family.
The workshop will be followed by a Christmas afternoon tea, craft activities and face-painting, finishing in time for families to make the 15 minute walk to Leeds Grand Theatre for the 4pm performance of Cinderella.
Tickets for the Cinderella Family Day cost £15 per child with parents free of charge. Families do not have to buy tickets for the performance to attend the family day but tickets for Cinderella at Leeds Grand Theatre are available from £10.50. Contact the Leeds Grand Theatre Box Office on 0844 848 2700 or visit www.leedsgrand theatre.com
