My First Ballet: Cinderella

If you have ever hesitated at choosing a ‘relaxed performance’ to attend for fear of missing out on the action – then think again. A group of us – aged between 8 and 80 – attended the relaxed version of My First Ballet: Cinderella at the gorgeous Talbot Theatre. Matthew Lawrence, the production’s Stager, and dancer Jack Jones (playing one of the Step Sisters) introduced the performance and reassured the audience that they were there to have fun in a safe environment. And, while the lighting and music may have been a little more subdued than usual, there were still plenty of surprises, beautiful music (by Serge Prokofiev) and lots of magic dancing, courtesy of Queensland Ballet’s ready talent pool.

Children of all ages packed the theatre, and everyone thoroughly enjoyed the show. The crowd was incredibly well behaved – even when the Prince and his Cavaliers took to the audience in search of the mystery owner of the glittering ballet slipper! My young friend, Clara Sutherland, aged 9 ½, summed it up when she said: “I loved Cinderella because it was sensory friendly – it wasn’t too loud, and it wasn’t too quiet. Also, the lights didn’t go all the way down, but it wasn’t super bright – it was just that nice in-between.”

We were treated to a polished performance by up-and-coming Queensland Ballet stars from the Jette Parker Young Artists group. Milana Gould won everyone hearts as a hard-working yet headstrong Cinderella, making for perfect pas de deux with the charming Prince, Taron Geyl – their mirroring movements in complete harmony made this pair just beautiful to watch. I’m sure we’ll soon see them in the ranks of Company Artist stars.

The calm narration by Sarah McIntosh as the Fairy Godmother clued us in to the somewhat adapted tale. She was danced to perfection by Corina Poh, who made magic happen with new characters – a Fairy (Gina Lee) and Dragonfly (Eli Southurst). As the Step Mother, Kayla Van Den Bogert was a formidable presence, an ambitious mother perhaps pushy and jealous because her husband, Cinderella’s Father, played with gentle strength by Joseph Moss, was still grieving for his lost wife. And while Cinders and the Prince won our hearts, it was difficult for the Step Sisters, played to the hilt of hilarity by Annabelle McCoy and Jack Jones, not to steal the show!

Judging from the giggles in the audience, I think many of the children agreed with Clara, who said: “The ballet was very nice. I enjoyed it – especially when the Step Sisters danced. It was very ridiculous – not like normal ballet dancing!” The choreography, adapted from Ben Stevenson OBE, did give the Sisters their chance to shine with their goofy antics attempting serious dancing to show their status and attract the eye of the Prince. Despite the humour, the dancing hid a wealth of training and discipline. I look forward to seeing this pair in their next roles too.

Costumes by Tracy Grant Lord were exquisite – from Cinderella’s simple black and white work dress, flowing so beautifully with every movement, to the greens and purples of the Sisters’ froo-froo frocks, making a mockery of these would-be Royal social climbers. There were also stunning navy and white shimmering costumes at the Ball, with many dancers as the ballroom guests and the superbly uniformed Prince’s Cavaliers. The Set Design by Thomas Boyd, Lighting Design by Cameron Goerg, Sound Design by Wil Hughes, and Video Design by Craig Wilkinson all set a lofty bar, transporting us into the fabulous fairytale world. Children gaining their first taste of ballet will have high expectations in the future after seeing this production and I’m sure many of them will return to future shows – or perhaps take up dancing themselves, having been inspired by Cinderella and her Step Sisters!

Beth Keehn & Clara Sutherland

Photographer: David Kelly

Find out more about Queensland Ballet: www.queenslandballet.com.au/performances/2024