Brisbane’s lack of theatre availability has disappointingly left The Australian Ballet unable to return with the full company in 2024.

But we do get to see its new interactive children’s version of Cinderella, which is sure to foster a new generation of budding ballet fans when it comes to Brisbane Powerhouse this month.

With a 50-minute running time curtailing anything extraneous, and everyone invited to wave magic wands, this Storytime Ballet, created and choreographed by former artistic director David McAllister, promises to be a sneaky pleasure for adults as well as kids.

The Australian Ballet’s artistic director David Hallberg and fans are disappointed about the hiatus following a triumphant return to Brisbane with Swan Lake last October after a three-year absence. Hallberg says he is committed to resuming annual seasons, and with completion of QPAC’s new 1500-seat venue forecast for mid-2024, we remain hopeful of a 2025 visit.

In the meantime, there are nine performances of Storytime Ballet: Cinderella at Brisbane Powerhouse. The Storytime Ballet company features 11 dancers, joined by narrator Sean McGrath, who serves as the audience’s guide.

At the conclusion of the season, three cast members – 2023 Australian Ballet School graduates Jeremy Hargreaves (who dances the Prince), Charlton Tough and Corey Gavan – will join The Australian Ballet’s Corps de Ballet.

The children’s ballet program was launched in 2015  “with the aim of increasing access to this wonderful artform to our youngest audiences and their families, across the country”, says executive director Lissa Twomey.

Based on the 35,000 who attended performances Australia-wide in 2022-2023, the concept – ideally timed for the December-January school holidays – is working.

It’s a busy month for ballet with Ballet Theatre Queensland’s overlapping season of Sleeping Beauty at the QPAC Concert Hall, January 18-20, a youth production of the traditional classic adapted by artistic director Clare Morehen, featuring Tchaikovsky’s score performed live.

Dressing up is promoted for The Australian Ballet’s Cinderella,  which showcases the spectacle and magic of live theatre through beautiful custom-designed costumes, sets and special effects. “I hope this series helps ignite the spark for the next generation of ballet lovers,” Hallberg says.

All of the fairy tale’s key characters and details are there: the beautiful and kind Cinderella, downtrodden by her nasty stepmother and step-sisters; and the fairy godmother who instantly transforms Cinderella into a glamorous princess for the palace ball, but only till midnight, which leaves the handsome prince with just one glass slipper to try to find her.

Actor McGrath has narrated Storytime Ballet since its inception, presenting other adaptations including The Sleeping Beauty, Coppélia and The Nutcracker. On a personal level, he says it is “a dream” being directed and choreographed by McAllister, who he describes as “an icon of the ballet world”.

Noting that there are usually as many adults as children watching,  McGrath praised the tailoring of the shows to appeal to a broad age range. Everybody is encouraged to get involved, and unlike grown-up ballet, you don’t have to sit silently and still until the end.

McGrath urges kids to call out and dance along to Prokofiev’s lively music. (You’re welcome to bring your own wands, but naturally there are flashing ones available to purchase.) The 2pm matinee on January 18 will be Auslan interpreted.

Storytime Ballet: Cinderella, Brisbane Powerhouse, January 18-21

brisbanepowerhouse.org

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