K083 DVD Ballet Cinderella Birmingham Royal Ballet ★★★ There's a common belief that there are no great Cinderella performances, and that's mostly true, but the Birmingham production is different. ★ It's undoubtedly the number one performance. In my 50 years of watching ballet, I don't remember seeing a dancer as perfect for Cinderella as Elisha Willis. I don't think there are any good Cinderella productions among the five major companies. ★ Elisha Willis as (Cinderella) is just adorable. It's worth watching just to see her expressions of sadness, hardship, joy, and happiness. It's absolutely outstanding. Running time: 1 hour 50 minutes NTSC Region 0 Recorded: 2010, Birmingham Hippodrome Theatre Featuring: Birmingham Royal Ballet Music: Sergei Prokofiev (Russia) The music is wonderful! [Cast] Elisha Willis (Cinderella) Iain Mackay (Prince) ★★ Quoted from web reviews below ① The stage, costumes, and people didn't feel artificial, and it was easy for me, a ballet beginner, to get into it and enjoy it. The production by a different ballet company I saw before was overdone, as if they were trying to show off how much they'd put into it, and I didn't want to watch it again after seeing it twice, but I've watched this one many times. Cinderella should be like this. ② You can enjoy the Cinderella story. The sets, lighting, costumes, makeup, and wigs are artistic to a degree that's unimaginable in Japan. The two stepsisters' dance is unique, and you can watch the DVD while laughing. ③ ★ Cinderella productions can be hit or miss, so I was quite nervous before watching it, but! It was wonderful! It's the Birmingham Royal Ballet's Cinderella. Iain Mackay is so wonderful, you'd think he was such a good actor. The actress playing Cinderella has very expressive faces and is youthful enough to withstand close-ups. The two stepsisters are one skinny and one intentionally fat in a costume. ★ It's a very elegant performance. The beauty of the background art, the splendor of the costumes, the technique, and the acting are all excellent. The bullying of Cinderella is terrible, but on the other hand, Cinderella's kindness stood out. I couldn't help but cry at the scene where she shows kindness to the old woman. The ballet itself is wonderful, and Cinderella performs a wonderful dance that makes you forget she's barefoot.