New Adventures will stage its 9th annual Christmas season at Sadler’s Wells this winter with a new production of Matthew Bourne’s Cinderella.
Set in London during World War II, Bourne’s adaptation of the classic story sees Cinderella falling for a dashing RAF pilot. When a chance meeting results in a magical night, the pair fall in love before being parted by the horrors of the Blitz. The production aims to be both a tribute and a testament to the spirit of London during a war where every second counted and people’s lives changed forever.
New Adventures, Bourne’s contemporary dance/theatre company, first performed Cinderella in the West End in 1997. This completely revised production features designs by Laurence Olivier Award-winning designer Lez Brotherston (Edward Scissorhands, Swan Lake) and new lighting design by Neil Austin (London Assurance, The White Guard). Set to a specially commissioned new recording of Prokofiev’s score, Cinderella is described as a cinematic experience, with surround sound designed by Paul Groothius (Gone With The Wind, My Fair Lady).
Choreographer Bourne said: “I am bringing Cinderella back and into the New Adventures repertory for the first time, not only to commemorate the 70th Anniversary of the London Blitz but also as a 50th Birthday present to myself! It has always been a very special project for me and I have for many years now wanted the UK to see the revised version of the production that we made for the Ahmanson Theatre in Los Angeles in 1999. Many years have passed since that production, which no longer exists in the physical sense, so I am delighted to be able to present this brand new production which incorporates some of the LA revisions, and many new ones. My Grandparents and my Mum and Dad lived a couple of streets away from each other in the East End throughout the nightly onslaught of the Blitz. Cinderella is also my personal tribute to them.”
In previous years, New Adventures has staged festive productions including Edward Scissorhands and Nutcracker! at Sadler’s Wells. The acclaimed choreographer’s other dance credits includes Dorian Gray and Play Without World. As well as being a Resident Company at Sadler’s Wells, New Adventures also tour worldwide, with Cinderella set for a national and international tour following its London run.
Cinderella runs this Christmas from 30 November to 23 January 2011.
CM