A night at the ballet

Thursday, December 2nd, 2010

Cinderella appears to have trumped The Nutcracker as the Christmas ballet of choice this year. Both Sir Frederick Ashton and David Bintley have chosen to choreograph Prokofiev’s famous score (for the Royal Ballet and Birmingham Royal Ballet respectively), but it is Matthew Bourne’s take on the classic fairytale that has really captured our imagination this Christmas.

Set in the Second World War, against the backdrop of a Blitz-ravaged London, Bourne gives us a young handsome RAF pilot who is separated from the beautiful Cinderella after a chance encounter. With its 1940s costumes, captivating set design by Olivier Award winner Lez Brotherston and, of course, stunning choreography and performances from the New Adventures company, Bourne’s ballet is totally unique and a real visual treat.

Cinderella is at Sadler’s Wells, Rosebery Avenue, London, EC1R until 23 January 2011.