Cinderella Birmingham Royal Ballet Tour - Review

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Wed 19 Feb 2025 - Sun 29 Jun 2025

It feels like a good time for a fairytale to distract from Winter woes and world news. Filling that wish with dancing frogs and a fairy godmother is Birmingham Royal Ballet(BRB) , bringing back its acclaimed Cinderella for a UK and Japan tour.

This is Sir David Bintley's renowned version of Cinderella that premiered back in 2010. It's got extra sparkle for this outing as donations to BRB's Big Give Christmas Challenge helped restore costumes to their original splendour - and oh how they sparkle.

I got a look at Cinderella during its stay at Birmingham Hippodrome , where it remains until March 1. That's ahead of tour dates to Salford's The Lowry, Sunderland Empire, Bristol Hippodrome and Theatre Royal Plymouth, before further performances in Japan in June. See full dates below.

From the opening scene, the detail of the set and characters is striking. John Macfarlane was responsible for the designs that truly bring this fairytale to life, for all ages. If you've ever been swept away by BRB's magnificent five-star The Nutcracker , then you'll love this Cinderella ballet. It's as lavish and magical - perhaps more so - with dancing animals, fairy scenes and glorious group numbers.

We meet Cinderella in a grubby kitchen with dishes piled high and a real roaring fire. It makes the later opulence of the palace ball and jaw-dropping huge mechanical clock counting down to midnight even more dreamy in comparison.



There are three acts with two intervals over two and a half hours and most of the first part is spent in the kitchen. Here's where the harshness of the wicked stepmother and ugly sisters is ultimately overcome by a visit from Cinderella's fairy godmother, shown above, who uses her wand to create pure magic, in the story and entertainment-wise.

Bintley's expertly crafted choreography shines alongside Prokofiev's timeless music. His work is achingly romantic but also character-led and overflowing with humour. Bintley makes the ugly sisters too funny to hate and the most interesting roles by far.

Their characterisations through dance are a master stroke. Eilis Small and Olivia Chang Clarke are impressive with both their acting skills and movement. The pair are a real joy and you can't wait to see them, whether they are taunting Cinders in the kitchen or shamelessly embarrassing themselves at the ball.

It's the close of the first act that stays with you long after leaving the theatre. This transformation of Cinderella's rags along with lizards, a frog and mice is mesmerising. While rows of sparking dancers fill the stage in those beautifully restored twinkling tutus.



Everyone loves a makeover and it's an almighty glam-up for our heroine in front of a huge mirror, pictured above, before stepping into a stunning carriage.

After the break, we're taken to the ball, packed with vibrant colours and extravagant hairstyles. The ugly sisters come into their own here, causing mayhem as they chase after food and men. I couldn't stop smiling.

It's also a chance to get to know the Prince. Principal dancers for the lead roles change throughout the tour but I saw an exquisite Yu Kurihara as Cinderella opposite Lachlan Monaghan as the Prince, both pictured below.



Monaghan has a star quality about him. He's worked up the ranks within BRB and you can tell he knows this Cinderella well. He hits just the right tone of charming, humble and kind through his mannerisms and dance.

Cinderella and The Prince's performances together are full of heart and although cut short by the clock striking midnight, there's another chance to catch more of their pas de deux in the uplifting finale.

What makes BRB's productions like this become so renowned is a combination of artists at the peak of their abilities. There's the fine dancing, grandiose sets and costumes for sure, but also the detail in the storytelling told in every single step.



It's a well-oiled machine with pinpoint accuracy created from many sources. There's the work of BRB Director Carlos Acosta's team behind the scenes, the lighting, those costume renovations and of course the sensational live music performed by the Royal Ballet Sinfonia.

Birmingham Royal Ballet's Cinderella is as enchanting as it gets. It makes the real world slip away like you've been transported into all the joy and hope of a fairytale. It's truly magical and guaranteed to make all your theatre wishes come true.

Rating: 5 out of 5 stars


Birmingham Royal Ballet Cinderella UK Tour Dates 2025

See the Birmingham Royal Ballet website here for all dates of the tour and how to book.

Birmingham Hippodrome - until Saturday March 1
The Lowry, Salford - Thursday March 6 - Saturday March 8
Sunderland Empire - Thursday March 13 - Saturday March 15
Bristol Hippodrome - Thursday March 27 - Saturday March 29
Theatre Royal Plymouth - Wednesday April 9 - Saturday April 12
Tokyo Bunka Kaikan - Friday June 27 - Sunday June 29

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