Moscow “La Classique” Ballet presents: Cinderella

The internationally acclaimed Moscow “La Classique” Ballet premieres in Auckland this week with its exquisite production of Cinderella, one of the best loved rags to riches fairytales.

Cinderella will be performed at the ASB Theatre, Aotea Centre, THE EDGE® from June 9-11.

Prince and Cinderella.

Cinderella, Fairy Godmother and Prince.

The Moscow “La Classique” Ballet company was founded in 1990 by its current director Elik Melikov, utilising ballet dancers from the leading theatres of the CIS Countries and the Bolshoi, Kirov and Ballet Theatres of Kiev, Odessa, Tbilisi, and Perm.

Always in demand, Moscow “La Classique” Ballet has recently thrilled ballet lovers during hugely successful tours of Egypt, Morocco, France, Spain, Italy, Austria, Norway, Israel, Thailand, Taiwan, China and Japan.

They tour the UK on a regular basis and have recently performed the ballet Coppelia to sell out audiences.

They perform Cinderella in three acts to the music of Sergei Prokofiev

With a cast of 40 elite Russian dancers and production staff, together with stunning costumes, backcloths and stage effects, they promise to present a truly spectacular evening of traditional ballet.

The Auckland season of the Moscow “La Classique” Ballet company’s production of Cinderella is part of a nationwide New Zealand tour which began in mid-May and has included Wellington, Napier, Palmerston North, Hamilton, Wanganui, New Plymouth, Hastings, Taupo, Tauranga, Christchurch, Dunedin and Blenheim.

The Cast

Evguenia Novikova – Cinderella Graduated from ballet school in 1986. between 1986-1989 she was working at the Kuibyshev Opera and Ballet Theatre. In the period of 1989-1997 Evguenia worked with the Moscow City Ballet. Between 1997-2000 she performed with the Russian Festival Ballet. Evguenia is currently dancing with the Moscow “La Classique” Ballet. During her professional career, Evguenia has toured England, Germany, Belgium, Japan, Italy, Taiwan and China.

Irina Charykova – Fairy Godmother Irina graduated from the Tbilisi Ballet School in 1992 and joined La Classique. As a soloist she has performed in the following ballets: “The Nutcracker”, “Cinderella”, “Swan Lake”, “Paquita”, and “Giselle”. As a permanent soloist of La Classique she has toured Spain, Italy, Norway, Egypt, Morocco, Norway and the UK. Participating with other troupes she has performed in the USA, Japan and Taiwan.

Andrey Lyapin – Prince Andrey entered the Uzbek Ballet School in 1988 and graduated in 1996. He then joined the State Academic Theatre as a soloist. He has performed in the USA, Italy, Cyprus, Malaysia, Argentina, Taiwan, China and Thailand. This year Andrey Lyapin joined La Classique and this is his first tour abroad with La Classique.

Tatiana Zemlyanskaya – Ugly Stepsister Graduated from the Saratov Ballet School in 1992 and worked extensively at the Moscow State Academic Musical Theatre. Since 2000 she has participated in leading roles for Moscow “La Classique” Ballet during their many international tours.

Albina Dmitrieva – Ugly Stepsister Trained at the Ballet School of the Bolshoi Theatre and has appeared with the leading ballet companies of Russia . During 1988-1990 she danced with the Moscow City Ballet and since 1990 has been featured soloist with Moscow “La Classique” Ballet. Her repertoire includes Clara – “The Nutcracker”, Cinderella - “Cinderella”, Kitri – “Don Quixote”, Valencienne – “The Merry Widow”, pas de trois – “Swan Lake”, pas de deux – “Giselle”, Paqita – “Paquita”, Bacchante – “Walpurgis Night”, and pas de deux – “Satanella”. She has also been awarded the title “Honoured Artist of Russia”.

Igor Stetsiour-Mova – King Graduated from the Saratov Ballet School in 1983 and became soloist in the Saratov Opera and Ballet Theatre before joining Moscow Ballet La Classique in 1994. He has performed in the following ballets: “Swan Lake”, “The Nutcracker”, “Giselle”, “Don Quixote”, “Walpurgis Night”, “Spartacus”, “Romeo and Juliet”, and “Sleeping Beauty”. With “La Classique” he has repeatedly toured Morocco , Egypt , Spain, Austria , France , Italy , China , Japan , Taiwan , Thailand , Norway and Great Britain .

Denis Pivovarov – Cavalier An outstanding graduate of the Moscow Ballet School. Denis was appointed soloist with Moscow “La Classique” Ballet in 1991. His roles thus far have included the Njegus in “The Merry Widow” and leading roles in “The Nutcracker” and “Swan Lake” as well as performing the major pas de deux of world ballet classical pieces. His international tours have included Argentina, Austria, Egypt, France, Morocco, Norway, Spain and upon several occasions, the UK.

The Story

The ballet is presented in three acts; and follows the original fairytale storyline.

Once upon a time there was a poor girl, who lived with her nasty stepmother and two ugly sisters, who nicknamed her Cinderella, because she sat by the cinders in the fireplace to warm herself.

One day the two sisters received an invitation to a ball that was to be given at the palace of the King, in honour of his son, the Prince.

An invitation to this ball was a great honour, and the sisters were very excited. They began at once making preparations busying themselves selecting gowns, petticoats and having their hair and make up arranged.

When the day of the ball arrived, Cinderella helped her stepsisters dress and watched longingly as they departed. Poor “Cinders” sat alone by the chimney and wept.

Suddenly her Fairy Godmother appeared, seeing her in tears, asked her what was wrong? “I wish I could. I wish I could,” was all she was able to say through her tears. “You wish that you could go to the ball?” asked her Fairy Godmother. “Yes,” cried Cinderella, with a great sigh.

“Well, well!” said her Fairy Godmother, “be a good girl, and you shall go to the ball.”

Cinderella soon dried her tears; and when her Fairy Godmother said, “Fetch me a pumpkin”, she ran and got the largest she could find. Her Fairy Godmother scooped it hollow, touched it with her wand, and immediately changed it into a magnificent carriage. Then seeing a mouse-trap in which were six live mice, she told Cinderella to open the trap; and as each mouse ran out, she touched it with her wand; and so appeared a handsome team of dapple grey horses. Then she made a coachman out of a rat, and six tall footmen out of lizards from the garden.

Another touch from the wand changed Cinderella's shabby clothes into a beautiful ball-dress of gold and silver, which sparkled with diamonds. Last of all, her Fairy Godmother gave her a pair of slippers made of glass, the smallest and prettiest ever seen.

As she was stepping into the carriage, her Fairy Godmother said, “Mind, whatever you do, don't be later than twelve;” and warned her, that at this time, her carriage would turn back to a pumpkin, her horses to mice, coachman to a rat, footmen to lizards, and her dress to rags.

There was a great stir at the palace when the splendid carriage drove up. Cinderella alighted from the carriage, and entered the ball in a whirl of delight. She was the envy and admiration of all the ladies and gentlemen present.

When the hands of the clock pointed to quarter to twelve, Cinderella, mindful of her Fairy Godmother's warning hastened to her carriage. The prince hurried after her, and expressed his regret that she must leave so soon. He invited her to come to the palace the next evening, where a second ball was to be held.

The next night, the Prince danced all evening with Cinderella who enjoyed herself so much that she forgot the time. When the clock struck twelve, Cinderella rushed out of the palace losing one of her glass slippers on the steps.

The Prince rushed after her and found the slipper, but could not find Cinderella. He announced that he would marry the maiden whose foot fitted the glass slipper perfectly.

The next day, a messenger was sent to find the maiden who could fit the slipper – many tried, even the step-sisters, but none could fit the dainty slipper.

However, Cinderella tried the slipper and it fitted her foot perfectly. Cinderella took the other glass slipper from her pocket and placed it on her other foot. The Fairy Godmother appeared and changed Cinderella's rags into a magnificent dress.

Cinderella married the Prince and because she was as good natured as she was beautiful, invited the two stepsisters to the palace where they married two Lords of the Kingdom. They of course all lived happily ever after.

New Zealand Tour Itinerary

Auckland ASB Theatre, Aotea Centre, THE EDGE® 9-11 June

Rotorua Convention Centre 12 June

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