When the opportunity to take in a performance of the classic fairy tale, ‘Cinderella’ came my way, I naturally jumped at the chance. It excited all my desires to experience as much art as possible from every corner of the world – and Siberia certainly counts as one of those corners!
Formed in 1981, ‘The Russian State Ballet of Siberia’ have established themselves as one of Russia’s leading ballet companies, known to delight audiences with their breath-taking physical ability and dazzling costumes. I was happy to come together with our Russian friends for an evening in celebration of great art and our collective humanity.
Of course, a lot of us discover the classic story of ‘Cinderella’ from a young age – a young woman living in forsaken circumstances that are suddenly changed to remarkable fortune when she falls in mutual love with a handsome Prince. Naturally, being a ‘ballet’ there were no spoken words uttered on stage with all communication delivered through interpretive dance and the orchestral musical sounds of the aptly named ‘Russian State Ballet Orchestra’ who were situated in the orchestral pit beneath the stage open to the audience.
The night began when the conductor of the orchestra, Anatoliy Chepurnoy, appeared from behind the curtain on stage right to great applause from the audience. This applause then grew to crescendo as he reached his podium at front center of the orchestra pit and turned to the crowd, waving his arms in conductor like fashion, beguiling the audience into cheers and whoops of energy and enthusiasm. Then, the curtains lifted… We were off!
For the next 60 minutes of Act 1 and 45 minutes of Act 2 we were treated to a spellbinding display of balletic beauty, grace and athletic dexterity which obviously delighted everyone as evident from the frequent rounds of applause whenever the moments presented themselves. There was one noticeably dampened applause, though, which came when the two stepsisters (played by Yaroslava Bolsunovskaya & Anastasiia Osokina) who, together with Cinderella’s Stepmother (played by Maksim Ikonostasov) after a session of tormenting poor Cinderella (wonderfully played by Natalia Bobrova) came to the front of the stage seemingly seeking applause. I must admit here I let out a jest full “boo” quickly followed by laughter and applause for their wonderful performances.
It wasn’t until we were a fair way into the beginning of the play when suddenly came a male ballerino gracefully spinning and leaping (almost flying) through the air as he circumnavigated the entire stage. Obviously, he was the Prince (played by Georgii Bolsunovskii) who definitely commanded a presence whenever he entered the stage, exhibiting a wonderful grace and strength at all times.
Of course, as one would expect from a ballet, the entire show was a brilliant visual spectacle of beautiful movement and dance coupled with enchanting orchestral sounds. A truly captivating experience to have and one might even describe the performance as “magical”.
So, as the story goes, Cinderella is visited by her fairy godmother, dressed in a ball gown and does, indeed, go to the ball. The scene at the palace was my favourite of the performance; lots of fantastic outfits, enchanting music and tippy-toe dancing. And I felt myself being even more drawn into the moment as I watched Cinderella and the Prince’s gaze meet each other’s and, soon enough, fall in love. As those who are familiar with the story know, Cinderella must run away from the ball at midnight before all her lovely garbs turn back to tattered clothes. The rest of the story revolves around the Prince’s search for his lost love by traveling the land trying to fit the glass slipper on the foot of a raft of hopeful young ladies before he eventually finds a perfect fit and his beloved Cinderella.
I’ve got to admit I found the whole show to be a magical experience and, especially at the final scenes, decidedly moving. Something about this age-old tale of the human condition performed in such graceful and beautiful fashion which felt really enriching. It’ll live with me for a long time. My commendations to all the cast. I just wished I had some roses to throw at the end lol.
Bravo!
Review by James Toomey
For more information and tickets please visit www.trch.co.uk
