This holiday season Sydney Christmas took us to an exclusive behind-the-scenes of the Royal Ballet’s renowned production of ”Cinderella.” Filled with secrets and surprises, it was an unforgettable adventure that’s definately worth sharing!
Even though the Royal Opera House was undergoing renovations for the Cinderella production it still appeared something straight out of a fairy tale. As Sydnie explored room after room, we got a glimpse into the rich history of the Royal Ballet and learned all sorts of fascinating details and secrets about what it takes to bring our favorite production to life. From the elegant pointe shoes to the stunning costumes, every part of the production was made with care.
Sydnie At The Royal Ballet – 12/12/2024
In the pointe shoe room, Sydney met Jane, who’s resposible for fitting shoes for 115 dancers! Jane explained the importance of these shoes: “The whole essence is to make dancers look as though they’re floating across the stage, like fairies”
Can you believe that each dancer can go through up to three pairs of shoes in just one performance? The company uses around 5,000 pairs every year—that’s a lot of dancing! Next, Sydney visited the costume department, where amazing costumes and props were waiting to shine.
Designer Gary shared how he transforms characters like Cinderella’s mean stepsisters. He mentioned that it takes more than two hours to get everything ready before each show. That’s a lot of effort for just a few minutes on stage! Sydney also got to talk with Philip Mosley, a Royal Ballet dancer whose life inspired the movie Billy Elliot.
Sydnie Christmas – Have Yourself A Merry Little Christmas | Magic of Christmas 2024
“The film brought so much attention to ballet for boys,” he said happily.
“For the first time, we had as many boys auditioning as girls. It’s amazing to see how far we have come.”
It’s great to see how art can change lives and encourage new talent! But let’s not forget about the real magic happening on stage! Stars like William Bracewell (Prince Charming) and Fumi Kaneko (Cinderella) put on performances that take your breath away.
Sydney even tried out some dance moves with Bracewell and quickly learned that ballet is not as easy as it looks! As the tour was coming to an end, Sydney got a very rare oppurtunity to stand backstage and watch the dancers practice. The grace and skill they showed were truly inspiring—it felt like watching poetry come to life.
The Royal Ballet’s Cinderella isn’t just a show; it’s a celebration of art, hard work, and timeless stories. Kevin O’Hare (Director), said it perfectly: “We have been performing for nearly one hundred years, with some of the greatest dancers and choreographers in the world. Its an honor to share this incredble tradition with audiencs.”
If you’d like to see Cinderella for yourself, then you’d be happy to know it’ll be playing at the Royal Opera House till 16 january.