Review: Cinderella by Harlow Ballet Association at Harlow Playhouse

THE GALA night for the first night of a Harlow Ballet Association performance is a very special occasion.

Last night was no exception.

Members of a host of community groups: Mike’s Den, Razed Roof, Harlow Stroke Support to name just a few were joined by Harlow MP Chris Vince, staff from Hare Street Primary and many others as guests of Harlow Ballet in their first performance of Cinderella.

Photo Credit: A P Headshot Photography

They were welcomed by HBA’s Chairman Helen Rees before the performance.

The challenge HBA have is to make sure all members get stage time. That is no easy task but that is the ration d’être of HBA and why they have been so successful for so many years.

At one stage, they must have had over 50 performers on the stage, all dancing in perfect unison.

The other challenge for ballet dancers is the three performances they must put on at any one time: the dancers must dance, they must act and then they must convey the story however they can.

They all did that magnificently. Especially, the principal dancers.

We must also compliment the backstage team. The backdrops were simple but special. Especially, Cinderella’s scullery. There was also one particular transition into the red ballroom that was so impressive.

Holly Boylan was a very special Cinderella. She played the part with great tenderness and charm. There was a lightness in her performance that was so engaging.

The two sisters simply stole every scene. Played by Poppy Docking and Lilly Matlock-Jeffrey, they were a delight and conveyed the right balance. Their ripping up of the invitations to the ball was excellent.

The Fairy Godmother and her four fairies were a class apart: Ella Forman, Molly Hawkes, Rebecca Haynes, Zuzanna Kurek and Amelia Matthews really held the whole stage and audience in the palm of their hands. It is also a big stage and so it takes skill from dancers, choreographers and directors alike to fill it.

Dividing the ballet up into three parts was a clever construction. It helped the audience pace themselves as well. You could see different members of voluntary groups catching up with each other and also saying how much they enjoyed the ballet.

Could we also take this opportunity to once again congratulate the evergreen Michael and Henrietta Branwell for everything they do including those old school touches of welcoming everyone in an out of the theatre.

It was an absolute pleasure to watch their guest artist, William Ashdown perform as Prince Charming. Again ,a class act who showed why he spent seven years as an associate member of The Royal Ballet School.

We may not have mentioned everyone (this will be updated) but we just wanted you all to know that you all played a very important part. You may have been holding a tray or a cushion but you were a really important part and helped make it a very special night for the gala audience.

The key ingredient to the success of Thursday night was how hard the Harlow Ballet Association worked to make it a social evening with a social performance. Every turn, every point, every graceful moment, every smile, very tearing of a ticket, every shoe fitting and every happy ever after was there for the enjoyment of the audience.

We could tell that everyone went home appreciating they had seen a very special perforce from a very special organisation called Harlow Ballet.

https://playhouseharlow.ticketsolve.com/ticketbooth/shows/873661483