ENB 'Cinderella' reviews 'Cinderella' reviews Oaks in reviews Edur in reviews recent ENB reviews

Cinderella was the first ballet I ever saw in the UK. Same company, same stage, same production. I wasn't overly impressed 4 years ago, and I'm not sure I'm entirely impressed now. What made it for me were Oaks and Edur. Oaks has lovely port de bras, gently stretching out each phrase and making the most of some rather repetitive choreography. She filled the role with warmth though I did think she was too sad, too wistful and maybe even too weak. It would have been nicer to root for a girl with a self-esteem. In any case, despair turned to joy as she was outfitted in a sparkling white tutu and entered the palace in a shower of glitter.

Edur's entrance reminded me of Aurora's at the ball - fast, bounding steps that say 'Here I am!' Unfortunately Thomas took a nasty spill right at the start and couldn't lose the flustered look throughout that first solo. Must be a slippery piece of choreography - didn't Robert Tewsley fall down the stairs at the same point in this production a while back? Anyway no problem, 2 entrechat-sixes and magic restored as he came foward to dance in solo number 2. Floaty jetes, light landings and spot-on pirouettes. I don't think anyone plays the longing and passionate prince as well as Thomas.

Of course the ballet really came alive for me with the central pdd in the ballroom, undoubtedly my highlight of the ballet. Oaks and Edur are absolutely luminous together and their dancing is filled with such onstage adoration. These two in classical roles are such perfection, I'm more than curious to see what they do in other works.

Takahashi and Klimentova were lovely to watch as the Spring and Summer fairies. Not too sure about Yat-Sen Chang whom I ordinarily love - his leafy vermillion Autumn costume made him look terribly strange and bulky. I really don't think this kind of choreography is him. Yosvani Ramos made an appropriately dashing Dancing Master, while Vladislav Bubnov and Cameron McMillan were energetic companions of the Prince. I'm keeping a close eye on these three. I'm a little uncertain about the Stepsisters. I've only seen splices of Ashton's version, and I think the comedy in using men in these roles works much better. Here, it wasn't really funny and it wasn't great dancing either, though by no fault of Simone Clarke and Sarah Mcllroy.

I'm not really a fan of Michael Corder's choreography. The choreography for the court was particularly unimaginative, and Act III dragged on. I've said before that I'm all for pointless divertissements but the prince dancing with 3 princesses, Spanish, Egyptian and Oriental in his dream looked like something from another ballet altogether.

Still, had a nice time. If I'm too gushing it's because I'm still glowing from meeting Oaks and Edur at the stage door (they're even more beautiful in person that they are on stage, and soooo nice!) Definitely worth trading in my Don Q tickets for. (Seeing Rojo and Kobborg next week instead!)