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Sir Matthew Bourne‘s Cinderella is absolute perfection as witnessed at the Ahmanson Theatre in 2019.
Matthew Bourne’s Cinderella is a thrilling and evocative love story set in London during the Second World War. Matthew Bourne’s interpretation of the classic fairy tale has, at its heart, a true war-time romance.
A chance meeting results in a magical night for Cinderella (played on opening night by Ashley Shaw) and her dashing young RAF pilot (played on opening night by Andrew Monaghan), together just long enough to fall in love before being parted by the horrors of the Blitz.
Their story was helped along on opening night by a colorful and very talented cast including Liam Mower as The Angel (Cinderella’s new “Fairy Godmother”), Madelaine Brennan as Sybil, the Step-Mother with a colorful and luminous stage presence always drawing your attention with her every movement, and Alan Vincent in a subdued and limited role as Robert (Cinderella’s Father) with some of the most gorgeous moments shared with Ashley Shaw during Act One.
A single gesture of his arm was heartbreaking and being a disabled reviewer I loved that Bourne wasn’t afraid to put a principal in a wheelchair. Vincent also doubled as Alphonso, the Bandleader, where he gets to show off his comedic styles and dancing skills. And special props to the very strong male ballet corp who had several great chances to shine during Act One.
Ashley Shaw is perfection as our girlish, sprightly, and determined heroine. She has excellent chemistry with everyone, in particular her leading men – Alan Vincent, Andrew Monoghan and Liam Mower. From her slightest movements to the most gorgeous sweeping moments she is always in character and it is impossible to tear your eyes away from her. And it is actually her be-speckled and feisty Cinders that wins both the heart of the RAF pilot and the audience long before she puts on the gorgeous and sumptuous Lez Brotherston ballgown.
Liam Mower, who rose to prominence playing the original Billy Elliot in the West End, is fabulous offering a beautiful and distant portrayal as The Angel moving the action along and evening moving time back in a stunning scene in Act Two at The Cafe de Paris nightclub. His movements are classically flawless.
Matthew Bourne’s Cinderella has had new life breathed into the tried and true story of Cinderella. His storytelling is heartwarming, comedic and sublime. I don’t know how many synonyms I can use for perfection to describe this sensational production. It is one where I never once was desperate for dialogue or a more detailed plot synopsis.
The use of 1940 London as a background was well developed and felt authentic with a damaged RAF pilot replacing the traditional one-dimensional prince charming, an embittered and alcoholic step mother, and the brilliant use of Cafe de Paris (the glittering playground of Mayfair socialites that was destroyed by the Nazis in 1941) as the setting for our enchanting evening.
Prokofiev‘s ballet opus 87 deserves a standing ovation itself as performed in surround sound, designed by Paul Groothuis and featuring a specially commissioned recording played by a 60-piece orchestra. The sound was so well pumped into the Ahmanson Theatre that my friend and I had to ask ourselves if there was live music. I had never had the pleasure of surround sound at the theatre and it was mesmerizing and not in the least bit distracting or disappointing.
Matthew Bourne’s Cinderella is characterized by its striking visual design, intricate choreography, and emotional storytelling. With Lez Brotherston’s sumptuous costumes that flowed effortlessly and transforming sets that includes shattering buildings and lighting by Neil Austin with a terrific use of flashlights by the male ballet corp, the sights and sounds of war-torn 1940 London (thanks to Duncan McLean‘s spectacularly high quality projection design) come to life on the Ahmanson Theatre stage.
The ballet often incorporates elements of drama, romance, and dark humor, creating a captivating and modern take on the classic tale. The production showcases Bourne’s signature style, which blends classical ballet with contemporary dance and theatrical storytelling.
Where to Watch Matthew Bourne’s Cinderella
Since its premiere in 1997, Matthew Bourne’s Cinderella has received critical acclaim and has been performed worldwide by Bourne’s dance company, New Adventures. The production has won numerous awards and has become one of Bourne’s most celebrated works. Thankfully, if you failed to see the beautiful ballet live in 2019 when it came to The Ahmanson Theatre, you can watch it on Amazon Prime Video!
LOCATION/PARKING at Ahmanson Theatre:
Center Theatre Group/Ahmanson Theatre
135 N. Grand Avenue in Downtown L.A. 90012
Accessible Seating Suggestion at the Ahmanson Theatre
Seating in Row A of the Mezzanine offers substantial leg room and no need to access stairs.
Accessible (Valet) Parking at the Ahmanson Theatre
Use the Hope Street entrance. Those properly displaying a handicapped placard pay $10 (same as garage admittance) for valet parking and have a much shorter walk to/from the theatre. Without a placard, it is $23 per car.
Garage Parking at the Ahmanson Theatre
Self parking is available at $10 per car using the North Grand Avenue entrance. The garage sometimes fills up on dates when all three theatres at The Music Center are operating so plan accordingly allowing extra time.
Accessible Access to the Ahmanson Theatre from the Garage
To arrange mobility services from the garage to the Ahmanson Theatre, please contact The Music Center Access Disability Line at 213.972.0777.
More Ballet Reviews
- 5 Reasons Festival Ballet Theatre’s The Nutcracker is Encore-Worthy!
- Sadler’s Wells: Ballet Revolucion!
- Review: Festival Ballet Theatre’s The Firebird is Full of Promise
- Matthew Bourne’s SWAN LAKE Leaps Onto the L.A. Scene
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Its been a while since i went for a ballet… this looks like such a great experience….
Your review definitely makes me want to see it. Would be wonderful if it would go on tour and come to a theater near me. Enjoyed the video clip and the pics!
Did I just miss Cinderella? Oh yes, I did! Lemme not even recall the tons of times I’ve watched Cinderella. Thanks for sharing more about the history, much of what I didn’t know about. And also, that ballet… stunning!!!
Never watched live ballet and I live in NYC lol. I love Broadway, plays and other live shows but ballet has never enthralled me unless it’s mixed with other dance genres. This tells a familiar story so should be interesting to watch.
OH this looks like such a great experience! I haven’t been to the ballet since I was a kid but I would love to go to this.
I have not been to the ballet in years, this sounds like a great show to go and see especially after reading your review on it x
I am a big fan of cinderella, and I haven’t watched such play till now, SO will love to do so.
This was a beautiful description of this ballet! Makes me want to see it!
It’s been a while since a watched a stage play. Being a Cinderella fan, I wanna watch it myself too!
Beautiful description of the ballet. I would love to see this new take on the classic Cinderella.
Thanks Kayla! Check out the DVD or blueray if possible.
This is very interesting, I haven’t seen much of the ballet but I would love to..Thank you for sharing!
I think I’ve watched all the different versions of Cinderella but I haven’t seen this play. Wasn’t even aware there was one till now. Thanks for sharing.