ENB My First Ballet: Cinderella

Taking the little ones to a standard ballet performance is not always easy. The sheer length of the ballets may overwhelm children; and the story may not always be clear from the traditional mime.

To the rescue comes English National Ballet (ENB). For the sixth year running in collaboration with the English National Ballet School, it presents its own shorter and meticulously crafted version of a classic ballet. This year My First Ballet: Cinderella makes a welcome return to the stage.

The production is danced by second year ENB School students; and the task of adapting the ballet to make it accessible to very young children falls to ENB choreographer George Williamson. He’s already transformed other staples of the classical repertoire, including Coppelia and Swan Lake.

Williamson told Culture Whisper he was deeply aware of the need to bring the basics of the story to his young audience.

“It’s a workshopping tool for me to be able to develop my skills and tell a story (…) because we’re having to reduce and refine the story and make it into a very clear and succinct narrative.”

He is keeping the basics of the Cinderella story, of course: ashy-rags-to-glittering-princess, evil stepsisters, fairy godmother, dashing prince, and glass slipper. He’ll introduce a narrator to help steer his audience along; and keeps Prokofiev’s dazzling score.

Lasting just over one hour this should be perfect for tots over 3-years-old.