Ballet Ireland's Cinderella

Reimagined as only Ballet Ireland can, this Cinderella is a fresh, adventurous telling of this beloved storybook romance. Embellished with fantasy elements, humour, magic and romance, Ballet Ireland’s Cinderella is destined to be an utterly unique, heartfelt view of this cherished story.

Set in the iconically stylish and romantic New York of the 1950’s, a young, eager Ella arrives from Ireland alone and ready to embark on the new life she has been dreaming of finding work in the opulent and grand, Plaza Hotel, Ella works tirelessly scrubbing floors and cleaning bathrooms for the wealthy elite of New York’s high society under the watchful eye of her demanding boss, Mr. Whitmore.

Ella’s natural charm and radiant beauty provokes two particularly nasty guests, Gertrude and Winifred, who taunt Ella and deliberately create nasty chores for her to carry out. When Ella fails to satisfy the sisters, they complain to Mr. Whitmore who demotes Ella to the laundry service forcing her to work in the basement of the hotel. Undaunted, Ella uses her joyous spirit to dance through her mundane laundry tasks. 

When news of a lavish birthday celebration, hosted by the famous Vanderbilt family, will be held in the grand ballroom of the hotel reaches the laundry room, Ella wishes upon a shooting star that she might go to the ball. All of Ella’s hopes are dashed, when she is terrorised trying to get Gertrude and Winifred dressed for the ball. 

Alone and in tears, Ella finds comfort in the evening stars. When Ella’s fairy godmother magically appears, she transforms Ella’s ratty uniform into a gorgeous gown with beautiful shoes and sends Ella off to the ball with strict instructions that Ella must return to the basement by midnight. 

No one can take their eyes off Ella as she gracefully moves through grand ballroom. The birthday boy, Alexander Vanderbilt, sweeps Ella off her feet as they dance through the evening until the clock strikes midnight and Ella runs out of the gala leaving only a shoe behind as she races back down to the basement. 

When Alexander finds Ella’s shoe, he vows to find the mysterious, enchanting girl who stole his heart. Alone in the basement, back in her uniform, Ella relives every dance with Alexander until Mr. Whitmore demands she return to her chores.

As Alexander searches for the mysterious girl who left the shoe, Gertrude and Winifred eagerly try to win Alexander's favour and demand to try on the shoe. When it doesn't fit either of them, Alexander prepares to leave and notices Ella. He insists she try on the shoe and when it fits perfectly both are filled with happiness. Joyously, Alexander takes Ella away, promising her a life of love and respect.

Choreographed by Loughlan Prior

Described by Dance Aotearoa New Zealand as ‘a creative tour de force’, Loughlan Prior is an award-winning choreographer and creative director working between stage and screen. He is the Artistic Director of Lo|Co Arts and Choreographer in Residence at the Royal New Zealand Ballet.

Loughlan Prior has been named one of '25 to Watch' in 2025 in the prestigious US publication Dance Magazine. His work has taken him all over the world including Germany, Canada and the US. He's known for his modern spins on classic tales.