Internationally-acclaimed choreographer Alexei Ratmansky has been working with the Australian Ballet since July to create a new version of Cinderella for the company. The Russian-born choreographer directed the Bolshoi Ballet at the relatively tender age of 36. He remained at the helm of the Bolshoi for five years, before joining the American Ballet Theatre as artist-in-residence in 2009.
Ratmansky, whose reconstruction of The Bright Stream was recently performed by the Bolshoi Ballet in Queensland, has won numerous awards for his choreography. Unsurprisingly, David McAllister, artistic director of the Australian Ballet, is eagerly anticipating the new production. “Alexei has wonderfully reimagined iconic works such as The Nutcracker, Don Quixote and The Firebird, and I have no doubt that this production will be equally spectacular,” says McAllister. “His abilities span all genres of classical ballet and I know he’ll put his unique stamp on this much loved fairy-tale. He’s a master of characterisation and our dancers are excited to be working with him again on bringing these roles to life.”
Cinderella
Melbourne
17-28 September
Arts Centre Melbourne
Sydney
29 November – 18 December
Sydney Opera House