Here’s why we think Ballet Philipines’ Cinderella is the perfect Christmas fantasia that brings back memories from our childhood fairytale.
There’s a certain reassurance to be had in planning an evening to the ballet during this time of the year. Normally, ballet companies will mount tried and tested material that showcases not only the skill and mastery of their stable of dancers, but also the imagination and inventiveness of their production teams.
Celebrating its Golden Anniversary, the Cultural Center of the Philippines and Ballet Philippines caps off the year with Cinderella: a colorful mélange choreographed and directed by Alice Reyes (National Artist for Dance) to Pyotr IllyichTchaikovsky’s score, arranged by Francisco Feliciano (National Artist for Music), with set design by Salvador Bernal (National Artist for Theater Design). And as can be expected from the country’s premiere ballet company, it does not disappoint.
Breathing life to one of the Brothers Grimm’s most beloved fairytales, Ballet Philippines’ Cinderalla leaps out from the page to the stage with such a vibrant and exuberant energy that is bound to charm its audience. The brilliant choreography of Alice Reyes effectively tells the story through precise and expressive movements, it’s an elegant visual treat that is punctuated by moments of humor, to great effect. Cinderella leaps out from the page to the stage with vibrant and exuberant energy that is bound to charm its audience.
Cinderella leaps out from page to stage with vibrant and exuberant energy bound to charm its audience.
The production as a whole was extremely well-polished and made even more captivating by the sumptuous costumes and production design. It transformed the theater into a giant pop-up book that goes from Cinderella’s house and are introduced to her Evil Stepmother and the hilarious duo of Evil Stepsisters, to the gloomy garden where we witness the woodland creatures give a dazzling performance that is just an explosion of color, to the palace that serves as the backdrop to the ball scene that is just the epitome of elegance and grace. This is truly an ensemble show, some of the best moments were when the entire stage basically explodes with dancers. Also keep an eye out for the scene-stealing step-sisters who are just masters of physical comedy.
This show reminds once again why Ballet Philippines is the country’s rightful queen of classical ballet. It adheres to the company’s commitment to producing only the best ballet performances the country has to offer, and is the perfect way to spend an evening with the entire family, and would be a great way to introduce ballet to kids this holiday season.
“Ballet Philippines’ Cinderella” is onstage from December 6-15 2019, at the Cultural Center of the Philippines’ Tanghalang Nicanor Abelardo (Main Theater), RoxasBoulevard, Pasay City. Tickets available at the CCP Box Office and TicketWorld.
All photos by Kurt Copon. Click here for more Theater stories. Make sure to follow and subscribe to our social media accounts: Facebook, YouTube, Instagram, and Twitter.
