Discover Ashton's Ballet Cinderella
Ashton's homage to grand classical ballet, with a whiff of English pantomime.
Introduction | Synopsis | Characters
Introduction
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 his first grand oeuvre, Ashton paid homage to the heights of French and Russian classical choreography that he loved, but also mixed 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 score is one of the great ballet masterpieces of the 20th century. Prokofiev wrote of it: 'It was important to me that the ballet be suited to dancing; that the dances stemmed from the subject, that they varied in form and character, and that the dancers were given an opportunity to show off their artistry.'
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Synopsis
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 their lesson. The Ugly Sisters get ready for a great ball to be held that evening at the Prince's palace, but poor Cinderella has not been invited.
Unexpectedly, an old beggar woman comes to the house. She is derided by the sisters, but Cinderella takes pity on her.
Finally, the sisters depart for the ball, leaving Cinderella all alone. Suddenly, her fairy godmother appears and transforms Cinderella’s soot-stained rags into a beautiful gown, and her pumpkin into a splendid carriage.
As she sets off for the ball, the fairy godmother warns her not to stay after 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 ridiculously. Cinderella then makes a grand entrance and everyone is captivated by her beauty and grace, especially the Prince with whom she dances.
As the clock strikes midnight, Cinderella flees, leaving 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 indeed 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.
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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
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