Cinders!

For this production, you will experience Sergei Prokofiev’s iconic score performed live, a work known for its rhythmic complexity and atmospheric depth. The music supports a unique conceptual framework by Christopher Hampson where the lead role’s gender is determined by chance at the start of the night. This means the choreography you see adapts to different partnering dynamics and perspectives on the central story. As the evening unfolds, listen for the way Prokofiev uses specific instrumental motifs to represent magic and the ticking of time. The two-hour performance is structured around the familiar beats of the fairy tale, yet the fluid casting ensures that the interactions between the protagonists feel spontaneous rather than rehearsed to a formula. You can expect a sophisticated visual interpretation that moves away from standard pantomime tropes, focusing instead on the emotional stakes of the characters through classical technique and modern staging.

Scottish Ballet, the national dance company of Scotland, brings this production to their home stage in Glasgow. The ensemble is recognised for commissioning bold new work alongside traditional classics, often blending cinematic storytelling with rigorous technical standards. Accompanying the dancers is the Scottish Ballet Orchestra, a dedicated ensemble that specialises in the particular demands of performing for the stage. They are known for their precision and for providing the essential live pulse that elevates a large-scale ballet, ensuring the orchestral textures of the score are fully realised in the theatre.

The performance takes place at the Theatre Royal in Glasgow and lasts approximately two hundred minutes, including intervals. This duration is typical for a full-length ballet, making it a substantial evening out. Because the gender of the lead character changes at every performance, the show offers a different experience for returning visitors. There is no specific dress code for the venue, though many patrons choose smart-casual attire. The production is well-suited to those who enjoy narrative dance and live orchestral music in a traditional proscenium arch setting.