Cinderella to open Birmingham Royal Ballet’s Spring season
Birmingham Royal Ballet will begin its Spring season performances with the return of Sir David Bintley’s acclaimed production of the classic fairytale Cinderella.
The production will return to the Birmingham Hippodrome stage from Wednesday 19 February to Saturday 1 March 2025.
Cinderella provides a mix of dance, comedy, spectacular scenery and a cast of characters that include mice, lizards and a dancing frog.
Cinderella received its world premiere at the Hippodrome in 2010 as a gift to Birmingham from BRB’s former Director Sir David Bintley, marking the 20th anniversary of BRB’s move to the city.
The production received critical acclaim, winning the 2011 Critics’ Circle National Dance Award for Best Classical Choreography
Cinderella, one of the largest classical ballet productions in the company’s repertoire, features sets and costumes designed by acclaimed artist John Macfarlane, famous for his designs for BRB’s The Nutcracker.
It is danced to Prokofiev’s sweeping musical score played live by the Royal Ballet Sinfonia.
Alongside BRB’s world-class dancers, will welcome former BRB soloist and now Royal Ballet principal dancer William Bracewell as a guest performer.
William will be dancing the role of The Prince, partnering BRB Principal Dancer Momoko Hirata (Cinderella) on Thursday 20 and Saturday 22 February at 7.30pm.
Following the success of BRB’s Relaxed Performance of The Nutcracker last December, a Relaxed Performance of Cinderella will be performed on 25 February at 12.45pm.
The Relaxed Performance is designed for individuals who may experience challenges in traditional theatre settings and are supportive of people with conditions such as autism spectrum disorder, learning disabilities, or sensory and communication differences.
Audiences can expect a 15-minute introduction to the characters and the story followed by a performance of Acts II and III.
Additional changes have been made to the staging and front of house to create an atmosphere where everyone feels safe and comfortable and is able to enjoy the show.
Cinderella at Birmingham Hippodrome is part of a wider UK tour visiting Southampton, Salford, Sunderland, Bristol and Plymouth.
This has been partly supported by the generous donations from the public to last year’s Big Give Christmas Challenge.
Over £70,000 was raised which will help meet the rising costs of touring ensuring BRB can deliver their commitment to taking world-class ballet around the UK.
Following the UK tour, BRB will be taking the name of Birmingham to Japan where Cinderella will be performed at Toyko’s Bunka Kaikan (27- 29 June).
