Royal New Zealand Ballet

03 August — 03 September 2022
Dates & Booking
dates and Booking Meet the makers Explore Creative team Cast FAQs

Polish your tiara and dust off your dancing shoes!

The ‘dream team’ which brought you 2019’s dazzling Hansel & Gretel reunite, in a brand-new ballet to celebrate the re-opening of Wellington’s St James Theatre, followed by a national tour.

Feisty, funny and fabulous, Cinderella is choreographed by master storyteller Loughlan Prior to a magical new score by Claire Cowan and with fashion-forward designs by Emma Kingsbury. Highs, lows, fairy-tale endings and happy ever afters will spill from the stage in every shade of the rainbow. This thoroughly modern Cinderella presents a sparky, stylish twist on the classic tale, with a heroine who knows her own mind and a hero who follows his heart. The Ryman Healthcare Season of Cinderella is accompanied by a live orchestra in Wellington, Auckland and Christchurch.

Principal Mayu Tanigaito, soloist Joshua Guillemot-Rodgerson, principal Kate Kadow, soloist Kirby Selchow, Principal Sara Garbowski (clockwise from centre). Photograph by Ross Brown.
Cinderella is a stargazer, a dreamer and a unique spirit who finds herself in the wrong story. Set within an enormous, embroidered tapestry, the ballet is a kaleidoscopic collision of detail and colour, illustrating a timely twist on the classic tale.
Loughlan Prior
Choreographer

Dates

Wellington Auckland Napier Christchurch Dunedin
Wellington
St James Theatre
Wednesday
3 Aug
7:30 PM
BUY TICKETS
Thursday
4 Aug
7:30 PM
BUY TICKETS
Friday
5 Aug
7:30 PM
BUY TICKETS
Saturday
6 Aug
1:30 PM
BUY TICKETS
Saturday
6 Aug
7:30 PM
BUY TICKETS
Auckland
Kiri Te Kanawa Theatre, Aotea Centre
Wednesday
10 Aug
7:30 PM
BUY TICKETS
Thursday
11 Aug
7:30 PM
BUY TICKETS
Friday
12 Aug
7:30 PM
BUY TICKETS
Saturday
13 Aug
1:30 PM
BUY TICKETS
Saturday
13 Aug
7:30 PM
BUY TICKETS
Napier
Municipal Theatre
Saturday
20 Aug
7:30 PM
BUY TICKETS
Sunday
21 Aug
1:30 PM
BUY TICKETS
Christchurch
Isaac Theatre Royal
Thursday
25 Aug
7:30 PM
BUY TICKETS
Friday
26 Aug
7:30 PM
BUY TICKETS
Saturday
27 Aug
7:30 PM
BUY TICKETS
Sunday
28 Aug
1:30 PM
BUY TICKETS
Dunedin
Regent Theatre
Saturday
3 Sep
7:30 PM
BUY TICKETS

Enjoy more shows and save

Buy a subscription

Attend the ballet with friends?

Group bookings are open
“A joyous occasion, the production is a fairy-tale for our challenging times, and as the spontaneous applause and cheers erupting from the very first scenes indicated, there is still magic aplenty to be found in the theatre.”
Brigitte Knight, Stuff.co.nz/Dominion Post

MEET THE MAKERS

Meet the artists, choreographers and designers behind Cinderella.

On Set of the Cinderella Photoshoot

Join us behind the scenes of the Cinderella campaign photoshoot with choreographer Loughlan Prior, photographer Ross Brown and Homegrown Creative.

Cinderella Stage Combat

Meet RNZB Fight Director Simon Manns and watch the Company prepare for sword fighting on stage.

Cinderella Set and Costume Design with Emma Kingsbury

Meet Designer Emma Kingsbury and let her take you through the process of creating the stunning, new designs for this production.

Cinderella Choreography with Loughlan Prior

Meet Choreographer Loughlan Prior and learn how he developed the incredible new choreography for Cinderella.

Cinderella Production with Andrew Lees

Meet RNZB Technical Director Andrew Lees and explore how his team created the magical set and props for Cinderella.

Explore

Come behind the scenes of the Royal New Zealand Ballet
Interview with Victoria Gridley, Head of Costume Props
Watch the props come together for Tane and the Kiwi
World Ballet Day 2021
Watch highlights from our morning class and daily rehearsal
Backstage with Mayu
Join principal dancer Mayu Tanigaito during the opening night of Giselle
Meet the RNZB Ballet Masters
Studios, schedules, spreadsheets and shoes!
Dan Wilson, Head of Lighting
A rare glimpse into the world of the backstage men and women in black.
RNZB in class
Watch the dancers prepare for their day with their morning class.

Creative team

Meet the team behind this installation
Choreography
Loughlan Prior
Music
Claire Cowan
Set and costume design
Emma Kingsbury
Lighting design
Jeremy Fern
Conductor
Hamish McKeich
Visual Effects Partner
POW Studios
Orchestras
Orchestra Wellington, Christchurch Symphony Orchestra, Auckland Philharmonia Orchestra

Cast

A collection of PDFs with all the cast members
Wellington
03 Aug
PDF
04 Aug
PDF
05 Aug
PDF
06 Aug (matinee)
PDF
06 Aug (evening)
PDF
Auckland
10 Aug
PDF
11 Aug
PDF
12 Aug
PDF
13 Aug (matinee)
PDF
13 Aug (evening)
PDF
Napier
20 Aug
PDF
21 Aug (matinee)
PDF
Christchurch
25 Aug
PDF
26 Aug
PDF
27 Aug
PDF
28 Aug (matinee)
PDF
Dunedin
03 Sep
PDF

FAQs

What do I need to know about attending the ballet?
Check out our Top Tips for your Trip to the ballet for details of general timing, lockouts, refreshments, transport and facilities.
Is Cinderella appropriate for children?
This production is suitable for children 5 years and up, although this will depend on the child.  This Cinderella is a twist on the classic fairy tale, so be prepared for some surprises alongside the familiar characters and story.  All attendees, including all children, must have a valid ticket/seat for the performance.  Please see our Children at the Ballet policy for further details.
What is the duration of the performance?
Act I:  63 minutes,  Interval:  20 minutes,  Act II:  50 minutes
Where are my tickets?
If you’ve booked directly with the RNZB, your tickets will be mailed to you over the coming weeks, in order of performance date.  If you’ve booked via our approved ticket agencies (Ticketmaster, Ticketek, The Regent Theatre, etc) then your tickets will be issued as outlined in your booking. 
Who will be performing on the night I go the ballet?
Principal casting details are published on RNZB website as soon as available for productions (generally from one week prior to opening night). Please note that casting is subject to change without notice.
How do I find out who’s dancing when I get to the theatre?
Full casting for each performance, plus orchestra members performing in Wellington, Auckland and Christchurch, is displayed on screens in the theatre foyers. You can also pick up a free printed cast sheet. Comprehensive programmes, including synopsis, notes from the choreographer, composer and designer, plus background essays and biographies for all the performers, are available for $10. Bring cash – EFTPOS is also available. 
Can I take photos or film the show?
We respectfully ask that you do not take photographs or make any kind of recording. It’s distracting and so potentially dangerous for the performers, as well as disturbing your fellow audience members. 
Are you running school matinee performances for Cinderella?
Yes, although availability is very limited. Find out more on our School Matinee Performances page. 
What protocols are in place at the venue to protect against COVID-19?
The show must go on, so we at the RNZB highly encourage the use of face masks before, during and after the performance to limit the spread of any illness, and we ask that you stay home if you are unwell.  Specific rules will vary by venue, so please visit the performance venues' websites for requirements.   
What is the story of Cinderella?
This production of Cinderella is a contemporary twist on the classic fairy tale.  It is a romantic comedy, filled with sparkle, happiness and positivity.  Read the full synopsis.
Is there use of strobe lighting or visual effects in Cinderella?
Yes, there is the use of strobe lights and torch lights during Act II of the performance.

Leading Partners

Supported by
Major media partner
National touring partner
Northern partner
Wellington partner
Season sponsor
Accessibility partner
© 2022 Royal New Zealand Ballet