The ENO’s new production of Cinderella, a re-imagining of Rossini’s Cenerentola set in contemporary London, opens its Autumn season with a big, bold fashion statement. Costumes designed by Sussie Juhlin-Wallén co-ordinate with the set design by Herbert Murauer, mixing and matching in a vivid palette of colours.
Step-sisters Clorinda and Tisbe, played by Isabelle Peters and Grace Durham, make an amusing double act as they rifle through packages of designer gowns delivered to their door, teeter around in sparkly shoes and prepare to party in pastel confections with enormous frills and bows.
Chorus members dressed all in red, holding gilt frames in front of their faces, strike a pose to represent ancestral portraits adorning the walls of the family’s mansion. Scenes featuring the main characters as children offer further insight into the history of this dysfunctional family.
A band of mice scamper around from time to time, lending a note of whimsy and mischief to a family-friendly show, in a nod to the pantomime version of the popular fairytale which features mice turning into horses to draw the carriage taking Cinderella to the ball.
Rather than a fairy godmother, there is a rich benefactor named Alidoro, played by David Ireland, to help Cinders solve her problem of not having a thing to wear to the ball. Her dress doesn’t disappoint – its full skirts and floaty fabrics are worthy of any Disney princess.
Simon Bailey as Don Magnifico, the father of the three daughters, has a commanding presence and sings with clarity and precision, and his fast-paced drunken solo is particularly entertaining. The English translation by Christopher Cowell makes the most of the comic moments in the plot.
Mezzo-soprano Deepa Johnny, as Cinderella, and tenor Aaron Godfrey-Mayes, as the prince, Don Ramiro, blend well together, and the ENO orchestra, conducted by Yi-Chen Lin, brings a deft touch to a lively score.
The final scene rolls out the red carpet for a finale which holds few surprises but is big on the feel-good factor. Everything is sewn up neatly in a production which takes a well-worn fairy tale and dresses it up in the latest fashion.
Review by Angela Lord
Cinderella dreams of finding her Prince Charming. But when you’re always cleaning up after your needy stepsisters, there’s no time to make your dreams come true.
Longing for something real: a genuine connection untouched by status or appearances, and a life where she can be seen – and loved – for who she really is, Cinderella’s imagination keeps her going. Until one special encounter with Prince Don Ramiro changes everything. He’s instantly charmed by her warmth and courage – will Cinderella find her happily ever after, after all?
CAST
Deepa Johnny – Angelina
Simon Bailey – Don Magnifico
David Ireland – Alidoro
Grace Durham – Tisbe
Aaron Godfrey-Mayes – Don Ramiro
Charles Rice – Dandini
Isabelle Peters – Clorinda
CREATIVE TEAM
Yi-Chen Lin – Conductor
Julia Burbach – Director
Herbert Murauer – Set Designer
Sussie Juhlin-Wallén – Costume Designer
Malcolm Rippeth – Lighting Designer
Cameron McMillan – Choreography
Christopher Cowell – Translator
CINDERELLA (LA CENERENTOLA)
London Coliseum
27 September to 14 October 2025
