The closing night of the Royal New Zealand Ballet’s Cinderella to a full house at the Regent Theatre was everything it promised to be.
The "dream team" that brought us Hansel and Gretel in 2019 reunited to present a modern take on the classic tale of Cinderella.
Some may question pushing traditional boundaries and adding twists to well-known storylines, but the end result presented by Loughlan Prior (choreographer), Claire Cowan (music) and Emma Kingsbury (set and costume design) is a brave, inclusive and progressive new ballet with a heroine (Mayu Tanigaito) who "rescues" herself with royal messenger (Laurynas Vejalis), and two princes who find their own "happily ever after".
Tanigaito delighted in the title role, making every step appear effortless with glorious arabesques in a wonderful combination of gentleness and strength.
Joshua Guillemot-Rodgerson (Prince Charming) moved with freedom and ease, taking the audience on an emotional journey, discovering his soulmate in Prince Dashing (Shae Berney).
True testament to Prior’s choreographic skill were their moments shared and the pas de deux between the two princes was never overpowering but added to the storyline.
Ana Gallardo Lobaina as the fiercely wicked stepmother was thrilling to watch technically and in characterisation, as were the pampered stepsisters (Kirby Selchow and Sara Garbowski) who progressed from jumping on beds to swinging from chandeliers. Selchow was especially entertaining, adding humour.
The music (pre-recorded) reflects all this in a joyous contemporary score of traditional orchestral palette, subtle Spanish colours, fanfares and vibrant rhythms.
Set, lighting and sensational costuming were feasts for the eyes, yet never distracted from the dancing. Despite a "technical difficulty" bringing down the curtain in the middle of the second act, halting the performance for a short time, it all seemed to be over too soon.
Cinderella has very carefully and collectively been crafted by a brilliant creative team, and so many details and layers, it seems a shame to only see it once.
