The Ryman Healthcare Season of Cinderella is a feisty, funny, and fabulous new production that we’re thrilled to take on tour across Aotearoa this August-September. It marks our return to live performances in 2022 and it will be the company’s first production back on our home stage at the St James Theatre in Wellington.

Cinderella is the brainchild of award-winning choreographer and master storyteller Loughlan Prior, with a magical new score by Claire Cowan – the ‘dream team’ who brought 2019’s dazzling Hansel and Gretel to life.

This world premiere production also celebrates brand-new, fashion-forward costume designs by the San Francisco-based Australian designer Emma Kingsbury. She has designed extensively for film, ballet, television, theatre and opera, in the US, Europe, Australia and the UK. Most recently, that includes Blacklight directed by Mark Williams (Ozark) and starring Liam Neeson, HBO’s Finding Magic Mike, Wooden Dimes for the San Francisco Ballet, The Firebird for Texas Ballet and the award-winning The Crucible for Scottish Ballet. This was her first commission for the RNZB. 

Emma’s designs are unique and character-driven, each concept highlighting the bold personalities created for this modern retelling of a classical fairy tale. Her designs are a nod to classical ballet blended with colour and references to contemporary fashion and pop culture.

Have a look at some of her designs from drawing to actual creation below!