Cinderella, English National Ballet, touring

Michael Corder's new version of the fairytale has a classical heart - but needs a pumpkin

by Ismene BrownThursday, 25 March 2010

Elena Glurdjidze as Cinderella: 'a lovely affinity with the moon, and a delicate silvery aura'photo Daria Klimentová

Was it with a hollow laugh that ENB programmed Cinderella for the election period - as a reminder that glittery fairy phaetons are in fact pumpkins with money? Was it a hint that ballet needs political fairy godmothers? With airwaves full of budget cuts, nothing was more welcome yesterday than to go into a Bristol Hippodrome matinee, full of noisy children, and watch this delightful fairytale of wish-fulfilment laid before them. Even better, with the radiant Elena Glurdjidze as the ash girl.

Not many choreographers could so majestically marshal layers of ensembles, solos and pas de deux as Corder does

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