Take a look at half a century of Cinderella to mark Northern Ballet’s 50th anniversary year.
Production photo from Laverne Meyer's version of Cinderella (1973) by Laverne Meyer, Anthony Crickmay, Susan Fletcher, Carol Barrett, and Jennifer HancockNorthern Ballet
November 2019 marked the beginning of Northern Ballet’s 50th anniversary year. Looking back at the history of the Company, there are certain ballets that crop up again and again, all with a certain Northern Ballet twist.
Northern Ballet is renowned for tackling stories in new ways, and this can be seen right back through the Company’s history. So, take a look at how 50 years have covered four very different Cinderellas, choreographed by Laverne Meyer (1973), Robert de Warren (1979), Christopher Gable (1993), and David Nixon OBE (2013).
1973
Laverne Meyer’s Cinderella
Carol Barrett in Laverne Meyer's Cinderella (1973-12-27) by Northern Dance Theatre, Laverne Meyer, Anthony Crickmay, and Carol BarrettNorthern Ballet
Laverne Meyer’s Cinderella was the first full-length ballet performed by the Company (then Northern Dance Theatre) and premiered at the Forum Theatre, Billingham, on 24 January 1973.
A ballet in three acts, it is the most traditional version of the fairytale in the Company’s history.
Laverne Meyer's Cinderella Programme Page 1 (1973-12-27) by Northern Dance Theatre and Laverne MeyerNorthern Ballet
The programme for the 1973 production of Cinderella.
Laverne Meyer was Artistic Director of Northern Ballet from 1969 – 1976.
He formed the Company with 11 dancers as Northern Dance Theatre with support from Arts Council, North West Arts and other supporters
Laverne Meyer's Cinderella Programme Page 2 (1973-12-27) by Northern Dance Theatre and Laverne MeyerNorthern Ballet
Carol Barrett was one of the original 11 dancers of Northern Dance Theatre.
Yes you read that right, programmes used to cost the grand total of £0.30!
Cinderella Programme Page 3 (1973-12-27) by Northern Dance Theatre and Laverne MeyerNorthern Ballet
Much like today, Northern Dance Theatre had multiple casts to perform the ballet throughout the run.
Dancers in Laverne Meyer's Cinderella (1973-12-27) by Northern Dance Theatre, Laverne Meyer, Anthony Crickmay, Carol Barrett, and John FletcherNorthern Ballet
The ballet was set to music by Robert Stewart, played by a live orchestra, conducted by Christopher Robins and led by Sylvia Cleaver.
Dancers in the carriage scene from Laverne Meyer's Cinderella (1973-12-27) by Northern Dance Theatre, Laverne Meyer, and Anthony CrickmayNorthern Ballet
Sets and costumes were designed by Michael Holt.
Cinderella Press Cutting - Dancing Times (1973-02) by Dancing TimesNorthern Ballet
A press cutting from Dancing Times about Laverne Meyer's 1973 production of Cinderella.
Cinderella Press Cutting - Manchester Evening News (1973-06-21) by Manchester Evening NewsNorthern Ballet
A press cutting from Manchester Evening News about Laverne Meyer's 1973 production of Cinderella.
1979
Robert de Warren's Cinderella
Promotional photo of Sylvie Guillaumin and Michel Mesnier for Robert de Warren's Cinderella (1979) by Northern Ballet Theatre, Robert de Warren, Roger Alexander, Sylvie Guillaumin, and Michel MesnierNorthern Ballet
There’s a new Artistic Director in town, Robert De Warren, and in 1979 he decides to create his own version of Cinderella.
It was first performed at the Royal Northern College of Music, Manchester, in December 1979.
Production photo for Robert de Warren's Cinderella (1979) by Northern Ballet Theatre, Robert de Warren, and Linda RichNorthern Ballet
De Warren’s version was set in a department store, with the ever-present stepmother trying to stop Cinderella attending a masked ball hosted by Gustav, her bride-groom to be.
Production photo from Robert de Warren's Cinderella (1979) by Kenn Duncan, Robert de Warren, Alexandra Worrall, and Serge LauoieNorthern Ballet
Robert de Warren used music by Johann Strauss for his version.
His original score of Cinderella (Aschenbrödel) was specially composed as his only full-length ballet.
Promotional photo of Tanya Devonshire-Jones in Robert de Warren's Cinderella (1979) by Northern Ballet Theatre, Robert de Warren, Tanya Devonshire-Jones, and Roger AlexanderNorthern Ballet
Peter Farmer created the designs for this production. Keep scrolling to see some of his original costume sketches.
Cinderella by Robert de Warren - Costume sketch (1979) by Northern Ballet Theatre, Peter Farmer, and Robert de WarrenNorthern Ballet
The material for the prince's jacket was matte to look the same as the tights.
Cinderella by Robert de Warren - Costume Sketch (1979) by Northern Ballet Theatre, Robert de Warren, and Peter FarmerNorthern Ballet
The fabric samples give a further idea of how detailed and striking the costumes would become.
1993
Christopher Gable's Cinderella
Dancers in Christopher Gable's Cinderella (1993) by Northern Ballet Theatre and Christopher GableNorthern Ballet
Northern Ballet has a new Artistic Director again - Christopher Gable.
Cinderella was a particularly significant ballet under his leadership, as it is the only production he choreographed during his time as Artistic Director.
His version was first performed at the Lyceum, Sheffield, on 27 September 1993.
Lorena Vidal in Christopher Gable's Cinderella (1993) by Northern Ballet Theatre, Christopher Gable, Lorena Vidal, Hanson, Graciela Kaplan, and William WalkerNorthern Ballet
Gable’s version of Cinderella told a much darker tale than previous versions, harking back to the Northern European folk story of Aschenputtel, as published by the Brothers Grimm in 1812.
Cinderella Programme - Christopher Gable version (1993) by Northern Ballet Theatre, Christopher Gable, Hanson, Richard Farley, Chiaki Nagao, and Hironao TakahashiNorthern Ballet
The programme for Christopher Gable's version of Cinderella.
Gable discusses the metaphors and themes of his version of Cinderella in the programme for the 1998 revival of his production.
Model Box Photo - Christopher Gable's Cinderella (1993) by Northern Ballet Theatre, Christopher Gable, and Tim HatleyNorthern Ballet
The set was designed by Tim Hatley. This model box design shows how the set reflected Christopher Gable's darker interpretation of Cinderella.
Costume Sketch - Christopher Gable's Cinderella (1993) by Northern Ballet Theatre, Christopher Gable, and Tim HartleyNorthern Ballet
The costumes were also designed by Tim Hatley.
Performance Report from Canterbury - Christopher Gable's Cinderella (1993) by Northern Ballet Theatre and Christopher GableNorthern Ballet
After each performance, a show report is produced. Here is the show report from the performance of Cinderella on 18 May 1996 at Marlowe Theatre, Canterbury.
Looks like it was a typical British day for weather – although still popular with tourists!
This performance was also significant as it was dancer Lorena Vidal’s final show with the Company.
Press Cutting from South Yorkshire Times on Christopher Gable's Cinderella (1993) by South Yorkshire TimesNorthern Ballet
A review of Christopher Gable's Cinderella from South Yorkshire Times, 1993
The performance even got a standing ovation from the audience - which included HRH Princess Margaret!
2013
David Nixon's Cinderella
Ballroom scene from David Nixon's Cinderella (2019) by Northern Ballet, David Nixon OBE, and Emma KauldharNorthern Ballet
Northern Ballet’s most recent version of Cinderella is choreographed by David Nixon OBE, the Company’s current Artistic Director.
The production had its world premiere on 17 December 2013 at Leeds Grand Theatre.
Ashley Dixon as the magician in David Nixon's Cinderella (2019) by Northern Ballet, David Nixon OBE, Emma Kauldhar, and Ashley DixonNorthern Ballet
A far cry from Gable’s dark cautionary tale, Nixon’s version is a warm, magical reimagining of Cinderella, set in Moscow by a glistening crystal lake.
Northern Ballet's Cinderella: Circus Skills Training Video (2019) by Northern Ballet, David Nixon OBE, and Greentop CircusNorthern Ballet
To achieve the magic in this production, dancers trained with Greentop Circus to learn circus skills which are incorporated into the ballet.
Silver slippers from David Nixon's Cinderella (2014) by Northern Ballet, David Nixon OBE, and Dolly WilliamsNorthern Ballet
Cinderella’s glass slippers are reimagined as glittery pointe shoes in Nixon's version.
Antoinette Brooks-Daw and Sean Bates in David Nixon's Cinderella (2019) by Northern Ballet, David Nixon OBE, Antoinette Brooks-Daw, Emma Kauldhar, and Sean BatesNorthern Ballet
Nixon's Cinderella is set to an original score by Philip Feeney, played live by Northern Ballet Sinfonia.
Minju Kang as Cinderella in David Nixon's Cinderella (2019) by Northern Ballet, David Nixon OBE, Emma Kauldhar, and Minju KangNorthern Ballet
David Nixon OBE also designed the costumes in the production, assisted by Julie Anderson.
Press Cutting for David Nixon's Cinderella - Newcastle Journal (2013) by Northern Ballet, David Nixon OBE, Newcastle Journal, and Tamzin MackieNorthern Ballet
A review of Cinderella by David Nixon OBE from Newcastle Journal in 2014.
Cinderella - A Ballet by David Nixon OBE Trailer (2019) by Northern Ballet and David Nixon OBENorthern Ballet
Take a look at the trailer for the current revival of David Nixon OBE's production of Cinderella, touring across the UK in 2019 & 2020.
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