The Royal Moscow Ballet presents Cinderella starring Ekateryna Floria and Maksim Surov playing at Adnec until June 16. Delores Johnson / The National
Updated: June 08, 2014, 12:00 AM
In pictures: Royal Moscow Ballet’s Cinderella in Abu Dhabi
This version of the timeless tale, by the Royal Moscow Ballet, is one of the largest ballet productions ever undertaken in the UAE, with a cast and supporting crew of more than 70, including 33 dancers and 30 members of the Royal Moscow Orchestra.
Ekateryna Floria, who plays the downtrodden-maiden-turned-fairy-tale-princess Cinderella, looks every bit the part, whether she’s dressed in rags or a glittering gown.
Cinderella’s worthy attributes shine through when a lady in a black cloak (the Fairy Godmother in disguise) comes to the house begging and is taunted by the gruesome stepsisters and their mother. Only Cinderella shows her kindness, by giving the beggar woman a pumpkin.
Apart from a few pumpkins, the only other prop used in this performance is a broom, which the witchlike stepsisters and their mother pretend to ride on.
Later, Cinderella dances with the broom, pretending it’s her Prince Charming. So, there is no golden carriage in this version, nor household rodents who magically turn into horses or coachmen.
After our heroine gets her duet with the Prince, the clock strikes midnight and Cinderella does a series of exceptional pirouettes in time to the chiming clock.