Cinderella
Cinderella
Cinderella
This Christmas, be transported into an ethereal world where a sprinkling of fairy dust makes dreams come true.
This enchanting ballet by The Royal Ballet’s Founder Choreographer Frederick Ashton is a theatrical experience for all the family this Christmas.
This enchanting ballet by The Royal Ballet’s Founder Choreographer Frederick Ashton is a theatrical experience for all the family this Christmas.
The Royal Ballet and The National Ballet of Canada
Royal Ballet and Opera Principal Julia Rausing Trust
The Paul Ferguson Memorial Fund, Kenneth and Susan Green, Sandra and Anthony Gutman, Charles Holloway OBE and the Royal Opera House Endowment Fund
Aud Jebsen
George Simon
The performance of Cinderella on Tuesday 31 December 2024 will be family friendly. Find out more about these performances.
YOU SHALL GO TO THE BALL
Stuck at home and put to work by her spoiled Step-Sisters, Cinderella’s life is dreary and dull. Everything changes when she helps a mysterious woman out...
With a little bit of magic, she is transported into an ethereal new world – one where fairies bring the gifts of the seasons, where pumpkins turn into carriages, and where true love awaits.
Background
A milestone ballet
In 1939, Frederick Ashton first began to consider creating a full-length work, the Company's first three-act ballet. At the time, it seemed like the obvious next step for British ballet. The idea was shelved during the war but in 1946, Ashton returned urgently to it. Inspired by other balletic adaptations of Cinderella coming out of Russia, Ashton chose to create his own version of Charles Perrault’s famous rags-to-riches story. Set to Prokofiev’s exquisite score, the ballet received its premiere in 1948, featuring Moira Shearer and Michael Somes in the lead roles.
A world where dreams blossom
The designs of this production of Cinderella are heavily influenced by nature and flowers. As the Fairy Godmother and the Seasons’ fairies come into Cinderella’s world, the muted tones of the family living room are taken over by a burst of colour. The creative team behind the exquisite world of Cinderella includes set designer Tom Pye (My Neighbour Totoro, Olivier award for Best Set Design), costume designer Alexandra Byrne (Elizabeth: The Golden Age, Academy Award for Best Costume Design), lighting designer David Finn (Brokeback Mountain), video designer Finn Ross (Les Miserables, Frozen) and illusions by Chris Fisher (Harry Potter and The Cursed Child).
Cast and Creatives
Creatives
Reviews
Access information for Cinderella
There is lift access and step-free routes to over 100 seats in the Stalls Circle, Balcony and Amphitheatre. There are 10 steps or fewer to some seats in the Stalls Circle, Balcony, Amphitheatre and the Donald Gordon Grand Tier. All seats in the Orchestra stalls are accessed by 9 steps or more. A handheld bell is rung by Front of House staff to signal guests to take their seats before a performance. The bell is loud and can be startling. The bell is rung approximately ten minutes before the show starts and at each interval.
We have an assistive listening system available to use. A Visual Story for the Relaxed Performance of Cinderella is available here.
Join our Access Scheme for priority access performance tickets and to personalise your account for your access requirements.
Pointe Shoe Appeal
Every Season The Royal Ballet dances through over 6,000 pairs of pointe shoes. With over 100 performances every year and over 100 dancers we now spend around £300,000 on pointe shoes each Season.
With each pair of pointe shoes custom made and altered for the perfect fit, every donation will support our extraordinary dancers, ensuring they can keep performing and inspiring on our stages.
Culture, crafted by contribution
Royal Opera House Covent Garden Foundation, a charitable company limited by guarantee incorporated in England and Wales (Company number 480523) Charity Registered (Number 211775)