@ Festival Theatre, Edinburgh, until Thu 31 Dec 2015; and
@ Theatre Royal, Glasgow, from Tue 12 to Sat 16 Jan 2016; and
@ His Majesty’s Theatre, Aberdeen from Wed 20 to Sat 23 Jan 2016; and
@ Eden Court, Inverness, from Wed 27 to Sat 30 Jan 2016

Scottish Ballet’s European premiere of Cinderella, originally created for the Royal New Zealand Ballet in 2007 by SB’s current Artistic Director, Christopher Hampson, is brought to Scottish audiences across four venues this winter.

With a live orchestra, such a rare treat for ballet audiences these days, The Scottish Ballet Orchestra performs the world famous Prokofiev score, bringing this challenging ballet to life for its principal dancers. And with Kiwi designer Tracy Grant Lord’s set and costume design, it’s a truly enchanting delight.

Everyone knows the rags to riches story of Cinderella but this is the first time that Scottish Ballet has learned a full length ballet from Hampson that has already been created for another company.

In her grief, the young Cinderella plants a rose at her mother’s graveside. When her father remarries, the future seems bleaker than ever. Her wicked stepmother is intent on pushing aside kind and beautiful Cinderella in favour of her two nasty step sisters. The course of true love never did run smooth but Cinderella does meet her prince and romance blossoms.

The ballet lends itself well to the key characters of Cinderella, the Wicked Stepmother, Ugly Sisters, Prince, Father and the Fairy Godmother, yet Hampson has beautifully woven in other characters such as the Grasshopper/Dancing Master, Cobblers/Silk Moths, Dressmakers/Spiders and Roses to showcase other members of this talented company. Act II, the ball scene, is an extravagant affair and will delight any Strictly Come Dancing fans, giving other artists of the Scottish Ballet the opportunity to shine too.

There are some outstanding performances from Principal Sophie Martin as Cinderella, who is on stage for much of the 2 hours and 15 minutes; the exquisite Eve Musto, who is beauty and grace personified and a joy to watch every time; and Madeline Squire and Araminta Wraith who bring a hilarious Ashton-esque characterisation to the short and tall step-sisters.

Scottish Ballet just goes from strength to strength and Christopher Hampson’s latest offering to Scottish audiences is no exception. If you want an alternative to the traditional pantomime and something just a bit special and magical, then Scottish Ballet’s production of Cinderella pushes all the buttons.