It takes Sergey Skvortsov about an hour and a half to get into costume for his role in the Royal Moscow Ballet's adaptation of Cinderella. He plays the evil stepmother. Even the stepsisters in this Russian production, which will be staged at the Abu Dhabi National Exhibition Centre (Adnec) in Abu Dhabi from this weekend, are male dancers.
The Royal Moscow Ballet’s retelling of the classic fairy tale has a combination of Russian and neoclassical ballet moves and grotesque dramatisation with acting and pantomime. The production, which is set to the music of Sergei Prokofiev, has been seen by more than 200,000 people in the United States, United Kingdom, Spain, Ireland and China in the past 10 years. It will also feature the lead soloist Maksim Surov from the Bolshoi Ballet as the Prince. Cinderella is played by Ekateryna Floria.
“What is most interesting and new to our ballet is that the main roles are performed by men,” says Anna Alexidze, the artistic director of the show, who worked with Anatoly Emelianov for the choreography. “It has been done to enhance the difference between the characters, which will appeal to both adults and the younger generation.”
She says the costumes and bright make-up will distinguish the good and evil characters. “I deliberately also went for the style of the neoclassicists because I wanted to bring a freshness while adapting the classical moves. I wanted to make this interesting for the children.”
Skvortsov will be playing the stepmother for the first time on the Royal Moscow Ballet's current tour of Cinderella.
“I’m full of excitement. Not many people of my age get to add such colour to their professional achievement,” says the 24-year-old dancer, who has been with the company since 2012. Before this, Skvortsov was a dance teacher and also played the lead role of the prince in the show.
“My costume is a dress,” says Skvortsov. “Of course, I am always worried that when I put on a dress and make-up I must look and move like a woman, which is the main thing in this role. I shouldn’t look like a man in a woman’s dress.”
One of his costumes is a yellow and blue silk peignoir and the other a rather bright gown. “This highlights the pretentiousness of the character, but at the same time indicates her age,” says Alexidze. “We used lighter shades such as lilac, pink and emerald for the sisters’ dresses. The costumes aren’t heavy, but they do tend to complicate the choreography.”
• Cinderella is being staged as part of Abu Dhabi Summer Season, from tomorrow to June 16, with multiple shows each day at Adnec. Tickets cost from Dh199; www.tixbox.com
aahmed@thenational.ae
