Cinderella
The tale of a virtuous and despised young woman, and her magical fairy godmother.
Frederick Ashton created Cinderella for The Royal Ballet in 1948. It was his first full-length ballet and the first grand-scale ballet ever created in England.
In Cinderella, Ashton pays homage to the heights of French and Russian classical choreography, but also mixes in elements of popular English forms, from pantomime to music hall.
The two worlds are cleverly interwoven: there is a Waltz of Stars and Cinderella dances a textbook pas de deux at the Prince’s ball, while the Ugly Sisters recall pantomime dames.
Originally the sisters were danced, with ample self-caricature, by Ashton himself and principal dancer Robert Helpmann. Ashton was simpering and neurotic, Helpmann preening and bossy. Their choreography encompasses the Charleston, the Highland Fling and parodies of great female ballet dancers.
The Story
ACT I
A room in Cinderella’s father’s house
The Ugly Sisters squabble as Cinderella sits alone by the fire. A dancing master comes to teach but Cinderella is excluded from the lesson.
The Ugly Sisters prepare their outfits for the ball watched by Cinderella, who has not been invited.
An old beggar woman comes to the house to be greeted with derision by the sisters, but Cinderella takes pity on her and offers her some bread.
An invitation comes for the Prince’s ball and the Ugly Sisters prepare their outfits watched by Cinderella.
The sisters depart. Cinderella’s fairy godmother appears and transforms Cinderella’s soot-stained rags into a beautiful gown, and her pumpkin into a splendid carriage.
As Cinderella sets off for the ball, her fairy godmother warns her not to stay later than midnight when the magic will wear off.
ACT II
The ball at the Prince's palace
The Ugly Sisters arrive at the ball and dance most inelegantly. Cinderella then makes a grand entrance slowly descending the main staircase. Everyone is captivated by her beauty, especially the Prince with whom she dances.
As the clock strikes midnight, Cinderella flees leaving behind her slipper. The Prince vows to find her.
ACT III
Cinderella is back in her father's kitchen, dressed in rags. She recalls the ball. Was it all a lovely dream? She finds a sparkling shoe in her apron and realizes that it was true.
The Prince comes searching for the owner of the slipper. The Ugly Sisters try to squeeze their feet into it - to no avail. Cinderella tries and succeeds. She and the Prince dance for joy.
APOTHEOSIS
Cinderella and Prince Charming dance a triumphant finale before turning upstage to walk off as gold dust falls down upon them.
The Characters
Cinderella: a poor, virtuous and beautiful girl whose mother has died. She lives with her step-sisters who exclude her and treat her like a servant.
The Prince: Prince of the Realm who organises a grand ball and invites all the important families in the land.
Cinderella’s Step-Sisters: vain and grotesque sisters, they are unkind to Cinderella.
Cinderella's Father: he is henpecked and bullied by Cinderella’s step-sisters.
Fairy Godmother: she transforms Cinderella’s rags into a beautiful gown, and magically arranges her visit to the ball.
Beggar Woman: a poor old lady who comes to Cinderella’s house asking for food. She is really the Fairy Godmother in disguise.
Other characters: Dancing-Master, Fiddler, Tailor, Dressmaker, Hairdresser, Jeweller, Coachman, Fairies, Friends of the Prince, Jester