Northern Ballet bring Cinderella to Palace Theatre, 18 November

Northern Ballet’s adaptation of rags to riches fairy tale, Cinderella, arrives at the Palace Theatre, Manchester next month.

Choreographed by Northern Ballet’s Artistic Director David Nixon OBE, the ballet is set within a fantasy world of Imperial Russia and embraces themes of magic, loneliness and love.

Cinderella’s life is turned upside down following the death of her father. Subject to the coldness and cruelty of her step mother, and kept as a servant by her family, Cinderella’s life is transformed once again following a magical encounter in a market place. As romance blossoms, can Prince Charming see beyond the servant girl and fall in love with the real Cinderella?

Duncan Hayler’s set designs transport the audience through a Russian-inspired landscape where Cinderella marvels at the magician and circus performers at the winter fair, finds a moments freedom skating on a crystal lake and finally, magically, arrives at the ball, a palace of elegance and wealth.

Choreographer David Nixon says: "My Cinderella strays far from the pantomime interpretation. Amidst all the action, magic and fun lies the story of a real woman and man who must travel their separate roads to ultimate happiness even though that journey is fraught with challenge."

Rather than a fairy godmother, a magician is one of the central protagonists, and in preparation for the production Northern Ballet’s dancers have been learning magic and circus skills.

Northern Ballet has commissioned Philip Feeney to write a new score which will be played live by Northern Ballet Sinfonia at all performances. Tim Mitchell (Hamlet and Dracula) is creating the lighting and Julie Anderson assists David Nixon in costume design.

This is David Nixon’s fifteenth new full-length production for Northern Ballet where he has been Artistic Director since 2001.

Cinderella arrives at the Palace from 18 – 22 November.