Michael Bourne's Cinderella at Bristol Hippodrome Review
Posted on: 2018-03-20
Our rating:
Fabulous dancing, incredible music, stunning sets and Matthew Bourne’s typically vivid storytelling come together to create a vibrant and compelling must-see production. 5/5
Matthew Bourne’s Cinderella is showing at The Bristol Hippodrome until Saturday 24th March. We sent along our reviewer Sarah-Jane Howard to see the show!
Following on from last year’s stunning production of The Red Shoes, Matthew Bourne’s dramatic interpretation of the classic fairy tale Cinderella has arrived at Bristol Hippodrome in dazzling style. The enchanting and captivating love story was last staged in the UK seven years ago, yet remains one of Bourne’s most well known and loved productions. It has been lovingly re-energised and brought back to audiences to celebrate the company’s 30th anniversary season.
(1).jpg "Michael Bourne Cinderella | Bristol Hippodrome")
This version sees the classic tale played out against a backdrop of 1940's London. In the midst of the chaos and uncertainty of the Second World War, a brief encounter between Cinderella and a charming young RAF pilot leads them to fall in love, only to be parted by the realities of war. Prokofiev’s magnificent score is brought to glorious life, poignant and joyful in equal measure with the sound of gunfire, air-raid sirens and exploding shells adding the necessary soundscape of war. The production effortlessly evokes the trauma of war as well as the renowned blitz spirit, as it combines the dreary actuality of wartime Britain with a just a dash of escapist Hollywood glamour.
In this telling Cinderella is a drab, bookish young woman, who dotes on her father. Her life is dreary and unhappy as she is constantly harassed and belittled by her stepmother and stepsiblings. She nevertheless retains a spark of life and a rebellious streak that explains her behaviour in heading off in search of her “prince” and makes her transformation into a sparkling, belle of the ball all the more realistic.
Staged in dramatic style on an incredible set designed by Lez Brotherston the presence of war is always apparent, as the story moves with ease from the London Underground to shattered buildings and on to glitzy ballrooms that are eventually reduced to piles of flaming rubble, the feeling that this a population fighting for survival and just a brief moment of happiness is ever present.
Bourne’s choreography has been updated since the last run, this production sees a slicker, tighter performance and seamlessly mixes neo-classical ballet with Forties-style jive steps to create a beautifully blended, dynamic piece. Bourne’s choreography is energetic and pushes the narrative forward with fluidity and vigour, carried out with flair and aplomb by the talented company.
Ashley Shaw gives a stellar performance as Cinderella, she is a delight to watch and completely embodies the role, embracing and conveying both the downtrodden and glamourous sides of the character. The relationship with Dominic North’s troubled pilot is passionate and believable, with their mesmerising and emotionally devastating duet in the Second Act perfectly capturing the heightened feelings of the time.
As Sybil, Madelaine Brennan is perfectly cast, clearly relishing her performance as this deliciously over the top caricature of the evil Stepmother. Liam Mower dancing the role of Angel - Cinderella’s fairy Godfather- is a compelling presence in a shiny white suit, moving around the stage with panache and grace, just like the otherworldly being he portrays.
.jpg "Michael Bourne Cinderella | Bristol Hippodrome")
While the leads are all superb this production is very much an ensemble piece, with the times the majority of the cast are on stage being some of the most inspired, energetic and technically impressive scenes.
Fabulous dancing, incredible music, stunning sets and Matthew Bourne’s typically vivid storytelling come together to create a vibrant and compelling must-see production. 5/5
Matthew Bourne’s Cinderella is at Bristol Hippodrome until Saturday 24th March, and tickets are available here.
Article by:
Sarah-Jane is an aficionado of film, theatre, culture and the arts. A voracious reader and avid crafter, she can be found volunteering her face painting talents at Bristol Zoo when she's not cementing her reputation as Coalpit Heath’s cake maker extraordinaire. Known to have an opinion on everything she’s never happier than when sharing these with the good folk of Bristol!
