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| Laura Hidalgo and artists of the Queensland Ballet in "Cinderella" |
Composed by
Sergei Prokofiev -Choreographed by Ben Stevenson
Costumes
designed by Tracy Grant Lord – Set designed by Thomas Boyd
Lighting
designed by David Walters
Canberra
Theatre 5th – 10th November
Performance
on 5th November reviewed by Bill Stephens
It was Ben
Stevenson who discovered young ballet dancer, Li Cunxin, during a teaching trip
to the Beijing Dance Academy. Realising the young dancer’s potential he offered
him a scholarship to study with the Houston Ballet. Li Cunxin’s eventual
defection to the West made worldwide headlines. Cunxin danced with the Houston
Ballet for 16 years under Stevenson’s mentorship, during which time he achieved
international fame as a dancer.
Since accepting
the Artistic Directorship of the Queensland Ballet in 2012, Li Cunxin has
introduced several Ben Stevenson ballets into its repertoire, in tribute to his
mentor. “Cinderella” was the first, introduced by Cunxin in his inaugural
season with the company in 2013.
Superbly danced
to a recorded version of Prokofiev’s lush score, played by the Queensland
Festival Philharmonic conducted by Nigel Gaynor, with lavish costumes by Tracy
Grant Lord blending beautifully with Thomas Boyd’s pretty story-book settings,
this “Cinderella” is a delight to both the eyes and the ears.
Stevenson’s
choreography immediately impresses for the detailed movement for each of the
characters, and the clarity of the storytelling. The dances for the two step-sisters,
portrayed with obvious glee by Camilo Ramos and Alexander Idaszak, are laugh
out loud, as evidenced from the very first scene, by the gurgles of delight
from the younger members of the audience. Details, as in the ballroom scene,
when the prince presents each of the ladies with an orange, which the sisters
take home as souvenirs to tease Cinderella next morning, abound, to add
additional spice to the story.
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| Laura Hidalgo as Cinderella |
An exquisite
dancer, Laura Hidalgo, captivates as Cinderella, certainly not downtrodden by
the treatment she receives from her bossy step-mother, (Janette Mulligan) and
step-sisters. Cinderella’s love for her father is charmingly depicted and she’s
endearingly forthright as she stands up for herself, ceasing opportunities when
the Dance Master (Patricio Reve) arrives to give dance lessons to the household
in preparation for the ball.
Princes
don’t come more handsome than Victor Estevez, a perfect danseur noble, whose
virtuosic pas de deux with Hidalgo are accomplished
with impressive bravado. Kohei Iwamoto, as the Jester, not only dances with amazing ballon, but reveals a cheeky sense of humour
shepherding the Prince at the ball, and during the shoe fitting that leads to
the happy-ever-after ending.
A
spectacular ballroom scene provides the opportunity for the ensemble to display
it’s beautifully honed technique swirling effortlessly through intricate
patterns in gorgeous dark blue and white finery. Soloists, Lou Spichtig, Mia Heathcote, Neneka
Yoshida, and Georgia Swan, beautiful dancers all, as the four fairies, provide
a tantalising glimpse of the depth of talent presently on show in this very attractive
company.
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| Camilo Ramos - Alexander Idaszak - Janette Mulligan in "Cinderella" |
“Cinderella”
is the second ballet presented in Canberra by Queensland Ballet under Li
Cunxin’s artistic directorship. The first was “The Nutcracker” three years ago.
Given that Cunxin has announced extensive touring by the company in the future,
it is hoped that more frequent visits to Canberra by this superb company will become
a much anticipated reality.
Photos supplied.