Children will be enchanted this holiday season when The Australian Ballet stages Cinderella – a magical new addition to the popular Storytime Ballet program. Former Artistic Director David McAllister directs this charming production, created for children aged three years and over.
The ultimate holiday entertainment for kids, Storytime Ballet: Cinderella tours to Melbourne, Sydney, Adelaide, Canberra and Brisbane from 13 December 2023 to 21 January 2024.
Every element of Storytime Ballet: Cinderella has been designed with children in mind, making it the perfect first-time theatre experience for young audiences.
Cinderella is live and interactive, with a storybook narrator appearing onstage alongside the dancers, guiding the audience through Cinderella’s story and inviting kids to call out and dance along.
The show has a child-friendly run time of under one hour, and multiple performances are scheduled each day. Audiences are encouraged to come dressed in their favourite ballet-inspired outfits.
This new production features all the classic components of the much-loved Cinderella tale. A lovely maiden is forced to serve her wicked stepmother and stepsisters, until with the help of her fairy godmother, she is magically transformed on-stage into a princess, complete with a beautiful ballgown and glass slippers.
Children will marvel at the beautiful costumes and sets designed just for this production, and have fun dancing along to the lively classical score by Sergei Prokofiev.
“The Australian Ballet launched our children’s ballet program in 2015, with the aim of increasing access to this wonderful artform to our youngest audiences and their families, across the country,” said The Australian Ballet Executive Director, Lissa Twomey.
“Storytime Ballet has been incredibly popular, with tens of thousands of children, parents and caregivers attending previous seasons. We look forward to sharing this very special new production by our former Artistic Director David McAllister,” said Twomey.
“Storytime Ballet is a perfect introduction to the art form for our younger audiences. As well as creating a magical storybook experience, I hope this series helps ignite the spark for the next generation of ballet lovers,” said Artistic Director, David Hallberg.
With more than 35,000 attendees in the 2022/23 season, The Australian Ballet’s Storytime Ballet: Cinderella is a must-see for families this summer, and a memorable gift idea for the festive season.
Storytime Ballet: Cinderella follows the classic tale of Cinderella, a beautiful young girl forced to complete all the house chores by her mean stepmother and two demanding stepsisters, who have been invited to the Royal Ball at the castle.
With the help of an old beggar woman, revealed to be her fairy godmother, Cinderella is able to attend the ball. Her ‘ragged’ house clothes are transformed into a stunning ballgown and she is gifted a pair of beautiful glass slippers, but is warned she must return home before midnight strikes.
At the ball, she meets the prince, who immediately falls in love with her. She loses track of time and as the clock chimes midnight she flees, leaving one of her slippers behind.
The following day, the prince declares he will marry the girl whom the shoe will fit. After many attempts, he discovers Cinderella fits perfectly. They dance together in celebration and the prince meets Cinderella’s father, who blesses their union.
The Australian Ballet presents Storytime Ballet: Cinderella at Arts Centre Melbourne (13 – 17 December), Sydney Opera House (20 – 29 December), Adelaide Festival Centre (4 – 7 January), Canberra Theatre Centre (11 – 14 January) and Brisbane Powerhouse (18 – 21 January). For more information, visit: www.australianballet.com.au for details.
Image: Storytime Ballet: Cinderella – courtesy of The Australian Ballet