Theatre Review: Birmingham Royal Ballet - Cinderella
Dates: Thursday 27th March – Saturday 29th March 2025
Timing: 2 hours 30 minutes (including interval)
Rating: ★★★★★
Last night I had the pleasure of going to watch Cinderella by the Birmingham Royal Ballet (BRB) at the Bristol Hippodrome. Having only seen one ballet previously, I was excited to see what was in store from the BRB as one of the UK’s leading classical ballet companies.
And the verdict? Incredible, simply magnificent. The performance was a feast for the senses. It’s time to wish upon your fairy godmother for a ticket.
We of course all know the timeless story that is Cinderella, and her story was told with such beauty and clarity by Sir David Bintley. The performance showcased breath-taking dance, spectacular scenery, and a magical cast of characters.
Bintley’s emotional storytelling was a dream to be part of, the audience were taken on an enchanting journey over the three acts. The cast so marvellously embodied both the emotion of fairy tale and the essence of the characters, with the balance between comedy and romance intricately captured throughout.
There were many moments during the score where we were brought to fits of laughter from humorous acts from the evil stepsisters and the surprise emergence of the playful characters of the frog, lizards and rats. These sprightly acts were balanced with the blissful emergence of Cinderella from rags to riches as she captured the heart of our prince.
Cinderella was performed by Beatrice Parma, who has just celebrated one year since her promotion to Principal dancer with the BRB. Parma was magnificent throughout, as were the rest of the cast, showcasing grand waltzes, lively gavottes and lyrical adagios. There were breath-taking lifts and some incredible point work – it’s no surprise that performers can get through several pairs of shoes each show.
I for one love to see grand, theatrical sets at the ballet, and the lavishness of this set work from designer John MacFalane, paired with such thoughtful and deliberate lighting from Peter Teigen added to the magic of the performance. This was furthered by the sumptuous costumes, that wouldn’t look out of place in an episode of Bridgerton! The way the lighting caught the costumes had a celestial quality. For me, the most memorable costumes have to be that of the rats, lizards and frog! They were simply joyous, with a hyper-realistic quality with the way the character’s tails moved, further embodied by the carefully choreographed movement of the dances.
The music was by Sergei Prokofiev, and the orchestra filled the theatre with drama, they were a leading dialogue bringing the passion in the fairy tale to life. This was felt by the audience from moments of uproar and splendour with the grandeur of the ball, to the countdown of the clock by where the audience were holding their breath.
The Birmingham Royal Ballet put on a magnificent production, delivering a truly unforgettable evening. Whether you’re a lifelong ballet fan or a newcomer, this production is a must-see, proving once again why BRB remains at the pinnacle of classical ballet. So take this as your invitation to the ball!
Head to https://www.atgtickets.com/ to book tickets and explore what’s on.
For those wanting an extra special evening out, you can book your early dinner at The Square Club, nested away on leafy Berkeley Square before heading down Park Street for your evening at the theatre. Needing to stay the night? The Berkeley Suites offer the ultimate luxury night away, having recently won the Conde-Naste award of excellence.
Photo Credit: Johan Persson
