Cinderella

I have always enjoyed dancing performances in films or on stage in musicals, but every dance I’ve seen relied on music and words to tell a story. For this reason I have always wanted to watch a ballet, where the dancers can expresses themselves through twists and turns in a choreographed medley of dance and music. So I decided to watch Mathew Bourne’s rendition of Cinderella, who brings a modern perspective to the age-old fairy tale. This Cinderella took place in London during the blitz. I was surprised by how easily I was able to follow the story line. With minor changes in the music and over-exaggerated expressions everything became clear.

The performance started off at a slow pace and feared that I wouldn’t enjoy the performance as much as I had hoped. However, during the second act when Cinderella adorns her glorious costume and meets her prince, who is a wounded war hero in this modern version I felt a connection to the performance. The chemistry between the two dancers was astonishing. Their synchronized and fluid dance articulated a connection that traditional movies and plays couldn’t. They seemed to be two parts of one whole.

Other notable performances included that of the stepmother who conveyed not just her actions, but developed her character through every turn and move. Even during those moments when she wasn’t dancing her actions exposed the true nature of her character. I was also intrigued by the fairy-god mother character who was in fact a man in this version. Unlike in the traditional fairytale where the fairy godmother is a savior this character acted as a guardian angel figure. During several moments I didn’t know whether to trust or fear the character. Clad in all white, he appeared to hover around destruction.

One of my favorite scenes in the production was in the third act when the prince character is trying to find a match for the shoe Cinderella left behind. He is standing hopeless on the bridge overlooking the Thames as a group of men harass him. He dances around, desperately trying to re-claim the shoe from the men who have taken it. It falls to the floor and for a few moments he hesitates before reaching for it. The pain, anguish, and exhaustion he is able to portray through his somber dance.

The ballet experience was one that I enjoyed thoroughly and I hope this isn’t the last performance I have the pleasure of seeing.

Amalia Albaryan