Cinderelly...

Frederick Ashton created Cinderella for The Royal Ballet in 1948. It was his first full-length ballet and the first grand-scale ballet ever created in England.

ACT I - The Step-Sisters squabble as Cinderella sits alone by the fire. A dancing master comes to teach but Cinderella is excluded from their lesson. The Step-Sisters get ready for a great ball to be held that evening at the Prince's palace, but poor Cinderella has not been invited.

One of my favorite parts of the ballet was when Cinderella was all by herself and dreaming of her Prince Charming.  She even danced with her broom as if it was him...it was a sweet girl moment of day-dreaming.

Unexpectedly, an old beggar woman comes to the house. She is derided by the sisters, but Cinderella takes pity on her.

Finally, the sisters depart for the ball, leaving Cinderella all alone. Suddenly, her fairy godmother appears and transforms Cinderella’s soot-stained rags into a beautiful gown, and her pumpkin into a splendid carriage.  As she sets off for the ball, the fairy godmother warns her not to stay after midnight - when the magic will wear off.

ACT II - The Step-Sisters arrive at the ball and dance most ridiculously (they brought a pantomime feel to the ballet which was quite entertaining!) 

 Cinderella then makes a grand entrance and everyone is captivated by her beauty and grace, especially the Prince with whom she dances.  As the clock strikes midnight, Cinderella flees, leaving her slipper (in this case it was a pointe-shoe). The Prince vows to find her. 

ACT III - Cinderella is back in her father's kitchen, dressed in rags. She recalls the ball. Was it all a lovely dream? She finds a sparkling shoe in her apron and realizes that it was indeed true.  The Prince comes searching for the owner of the slipper. The Ugly Sisters try to squeeze their feet into it - to no avail. 

Cinderella tries and succeeds. She and the Prince dance for joy.

Cinderella receiving her flowers after the performance

Cinderella & Prince Charming

Cinderelly!