Dance review: Cinderella, Edinburgh Festival Theatre

FROM curtain up, it becomes immediately apparent what choreographer Alexei Ratmansky’s main priority is – humour.

Cinderella

Edinburgh Festival Theatre

Star rating: * * *

The characterisation has been shaped to milk every drop of wit out of the roles, and the stepmother and sisters in particular play their parts for all they’re worth.

After a while, however, you start to wonder at what cost? The prince’s dry wit works a charm, throwing appalled looks at those fawning around him. But the rest quickly starts to feel tired and, in Ratmansky’s quest to be as accessible as possible, comes across as a little dumbed-down. Which is something of a shock, given the quality of dancing on stage.

Known for being one of the strongest classical ballet companies in the world, the Mariinsky dancers are not short of talent.

If only Ratmansky had given them something to truly get their teeth into.

Charles Perrault’s original tale also feels ill-served, with Cinderella’s home life lacking the misery that makes her new-found love affair so special. We’re entertained, but an emotional journey is denied us.

On the plus side, the Mariinsky Orchestra do a remarkable job with Prokofiev’s score, and the set and costumes show that somebody at least was trying to take this fairytale in a new direction.