Cinderella set to sparkle again

CINDERELLA: RNZB dancer Lucy Green as Cinderella.

It may have lost the title of the Royal New Zealand Ballet's most popular show ever to Sleeping Beauty last year, but Cinderella is coming back to the stage to reclaim her crown.

Last seen on New Zealand stages in 2007, the lavish production from British choreographer Christopher Hampson is set to tour the country once more from early August.

"The story is classic... the cruel stepmother, the comedic stepsisters, a handsome Prince and a magical Fairy Godmother.  But composer Sergei Prokofiev has given us more than this.  For me his score shows growth, honesty, humility and love.  It is a tale that shows us a journey from dark to light," said Hampson.

Set and costume designer for international opera, ballet and theatre productions, Tracy Grant Lord's creations wowed audiences in the show's 2007 tour of New Zealand and China.

Crystals on the costumes were made especially for the RNZB by the Swarovski factory in Austria, including Cinderella's tutu and the cloak she wears to the ball.

Crystals have also been used to give sparkle to insect costumes and wings, the stepmother's negligee and the spider's web.

RNZB artistic director Ethan Stiefel says Cinderella is one of the most iconic rags-to-riches stories, and one of the most exciting to bring to life.

"As one of the most loved fairytales, Cinderella has been enchanting audiences of all ages around the world for many years. Our rendition of the story lifts the magic from the page and embraces the belief that dreams can come true, whilst elegantly showing off the dancers' talent and versatility."

The Royal New Zealand Ballet Cinderella season
August 2-5 and 8-11 - St James Theatre, Wellington
Book at Ticketek

August 14 - 15 August - Civic Theatre, Invercargill
Book at Ticket Direct

August 18 - 19 - Regent Theatre, Dunedin
Book at Ticket Direct

August 23 - 25 - Municipal Theatre, Napier
Book at Ticketek

August 28 - 29 - Regent on Broadway, Palmerston North
Book at Ticket Direct

September 1 -2 - Bruce Mason Centre, Takapuna
Book at Ticketmaster

September 5 - 9 - ASB Theatre, Auckland
Book at The Edge

- © Fairfax NZ News