Celebrate the return of the Queensland Ballet’s production of one of the most-loved magical fairy tales, Cinderella at the QPAC in Brisbane.
In 2013, it was the first production by Artistic Director Li Cunxin in his inaugural year with Queensland Ballet and was a massive success. Five years on, they have surpassed all expectations with innovative dance, vibrant costumes and clever interchangeable set designs.
Divided into three Acts, Prokofiev’s music for the fairy-tale uses brutal contrasts to set each scene, much like Cinderella’s life. From the luscious romantic ball scene, to the harsh realities of her family life, where she is punished and maligned by her comically ugly step-sisters. Prokofiev’s score is intense, varied and technically challenging. The rapidly changing moods of each scene were played beautifully and skillfully by a large Queensland Festival Philharmonic Orchestra, conducted and directed by the highly acclaimed Nigel Gaynor. He has worked with Rudolf Nureyev and The Royal Ballet, chalking up over 100 ballets spanning an illustrious career of 35 years.
The pairing of the Queensland Ballet’s expertise mirrored the splendid virtuosity of the Queensland Festival Philharmonic Orchestra. The first Act highlighted a range of emotions from the initial despair of Cinderella (Yanella Piñera) to the hilarious comical antics of the ugly sisters, played by Camilo Ramos and Vito Bernasconi.
Tracy Grant Lord’s costumes were simple, but effective. The use of the classic pink and white tutu for Cinderella’s ball gown was delicate and pretty, like a perfectly iced cake, and the envy of the youngest audience members. Swift-changes in costumes and the innovative scenery had you convinced that the cast members had secret doubles. Cinderella was instantly transformed from scullery maid to the ‘Belle of the Ball’ with the wave of a wand. Thomas Boyd’s clever set designs accompanied by the lighting design of David Walter, enabled a fast and simple stage metamorphosis between scenes.
The talents of the Queensland Ballet were showcased in this beautiful production, displaying an array of talents with their pirouettes and gravity defying leaps, causing the audience to gasp and whoop in amazement. The appearance of the fairy Godmother, played magnificently by Lisa Edwards, and her four delicate fairies, representing each season, was an audience favourite. The fairies seemed to fly like gossamer in the wind, and the ‘lift’ of the fairy godmother seemed last an eternity, while the fairies fluttered around her. The intricate choreography of Ben Stevenson made full use of the ballet dancer’s talents, transforming them into magical nymphs in a breathtaking shower of leaves and snow.
The court jester, played by Liam Geek, was outstanding. With his comical, yet gymnastic prowess being much applauded by the audience. The underlying vein of slapstick comedy was provided by the ugly sisters, using quirky humorous pantomime-styled dance. The incredible pirouettes, lifts and jetés between the Prince (Joel Woellner) and Cinderella (Yanella Piñera) were romantic and uplifting, as Cinderella was swept from rags to riches and back again. The three Acts culminated in the wedding grand finale, set in a magical glade with angelic children flitting as dragonflies amongst the scene.
The powerful combination of Queensland Ballet and the Queensland Festival Philharmonic Orchestra was flawless, as together they weaved a musical dance-laden fairy-tale. The benefits of a live orchestra cannot be underestimated, as the music was rich and full conjuring up a bewitching musical spell. To add to the magic and romance, exquisite heart shaped biscuits sprinkled with fairy dust were handed to the audience enhancing a spectacular magical and entrancing production of the fairy-tale of Cinderella.
Cinderella presented by the Queensland Ballet and the Queensland Festival Philharmonic Orchestra
Lyric Theatre, QPAC
7th-15th Sept, 2018
By Gemma Regan