Bourne Blitzes Cinderella, Snowman’s 13th Xmas

First published in 1978, the story follows the nocturnal adventures of a boy whose snowman miraculously comes to life. The live show, directed by Bill Alexander and choreographed by Robert North, also includes characters such as a magical reindeer, a snow princess and the wicked Jack Frost. The music features Howard Blake’s hit Christmas song “Walking in the Air”, which reached number 3 in the UK charts when sung by choirboy Aled Jones in 1985.

Meanwhile, Matthew Bourne’s take on Prokofiev’s Cinderella, opens at Sadler’s Wells’ home base in Islington on 8 December 2010 (previews from 30 November), running until 23 January 2011.

Although the production was first seen in the West End in 1997, Bourne promises that this year’s incarnation is “completely revised and brand new”. Created to commemorate the 70th anniversary of the Blitz, it is set in London during the Second World War and centres on the fleeting wartime romance between Cinders and her dashing young RAF pilot. Kerry Biggin stars in the title role Cinderella opposite Sam Archer as Harry, “The Pilot”.

This new Cinderella features a specially commissioned new recording of the score and the sound world of war-torn London. It’s conceived, choreographed and directed by Matthew Bourne for New Adventures, a resident company at Sadler’s Wells, and designed by Lez Brotherston, with lighting by Neil Austin and Surround Sound by Paul Groothuis.

Prior to London, Cinderella visits Plymouth (15-20 November) and Salford (23-27 November). After London in the new year, it embarks on a more extensive regional tour, taking in Nottingham, Stoke on Trent, Newcastle, Birmingham, Milton Keynes, Woking, Bradford, Norwich, Wimbledon, Liverpool, Oxford, Bristol and Sheffield, where the current schedule concludes on 28 May 2011.