Cinderella

I went to see another classic fairy tale performed. Together with my father we went to the Dutch national ballet’s interpretation of Cinderella. As always we went for the most expensive tickets and went with high expectations. This version tells the story in its entirety from Cinderella as a little girl weeping at her mother’s grave till, of course, the prince’s search for the girls that lost her shoe and the wedding. The tree that grows from her mother’s grave continues growing during the story together with Cinderella. The first part of the first act was disappointing since there was hardly any dancing. It just told the story as in a play without words. Moreover, the music didn’t help because that too only acted as support for the story. You couldn’t listen to it as a stand alone piece. The end of the first act became a lot better when magic happened. The spirits danced and created a carriage from a pumpkin. Finally some dancing and not only beautiful visual effects.

The second act continued at the high level to be expected. At the King’s ball everyone got the chance to show how well they can dance. The stepsisters had an interesting part. As they are stepsisters they had to dance less good than Cinderella. It was on purpose that they dance awkwardly, which did give them character. One of the stepsisters was the evil one, while the other clearly came forward as a follower type. Not actually being mean, but imitating her sister.

In the too short third act everything goes very fast. In first scene there is a row chairs where everyone tries on the golden ballet shoe one by one. Funny. Then the chairs get lifted from the ground and hang above the stage giving a nice picture. Cinderella’s kitchen is where the prince finds his loved one. The story ends at the full grown tree with marriage.

I had very high expectation of this performance and unfortunately they weren’t met. The first part was just to tell the story, which wasn’t necessary at all because everybody already knows. The second act was good, but not excellent. The third act the same, and too short. They could have done more at the wedding.

It is difficult to compete against such high expectations. Having seen them perform La Bayadere sets high demands. Or having seen Swan Lake by the Royal Russian ballet in which you fall from one amazing highlight to another.

It was good. I enjoyed myself. A nice day out with my father. Nothing more.