THIS Christmas, Scottish Ballet have brought their opulent version of Cinderella to the Festival Theatre, writes Times theatre critic Kerry Black.

While the King’s Theatre has Beauty and the Beast as the panto, it’s wonderful to see another tale as old as time being reworked for a modern audience.

The excitement in the theatre was palpable the moment we entered. There were hordes of beautifully dressed little girls in sequinned party dresses and even a massive Christmas tree in the lobby decorated with sparkling baubles and satin pointe shoes!

Not many shows start with a funeral, but Cinderella does, as we see her losing her mother and being consigned to a life of drudgery and derision under the claws of her wicked stepmother (the imperious Marge Hendrick) and her two panto-esque daughters. The physical difference in height between Grace Horler and Kayla-Maree Tarantolo, only added to the grotesqueness and sheer comic genius of their roles.

Cinderella was exquisitely portrayed by Sophie Martin, who moved with grace and elegance from Act I’s drab scullery maid, to Act II’s sparkling ball scene, where she was beautifully paired with Barnaby Rook-Bishop as The Prince. The point where she shed her white cape to reveal her diamond encrusted tutu actually drew gasps from the audience!

Jamiel Laurence was outstanding, transforming from a flamboyantly camp dance instructor to the shimmeringly comical hyperactive Grasshopper! The principal cast was completed by Araminta Wraith as the diaphanous Fairy Godmother and Christopher Harrison as Cinderella’s hapless, sozzled father.

The whole ballet glowed with the high quality production values which are the hallmark of Scottish Ballet, from scenery to costumes and not forgetting their incredible orchestra who brought Prokofiev’s soaring score to life. With more than a nod to classic Hollywood and a liberal sprinkling of fairy dust and roses, Cinderella was a true highlight of the festive season.

With Christopher Hampson as Chief Executive/Artistic Director, Scottish Ballet is poised to celebrate their 50th anniversary next year. Their commitment to both entertainment and education, via their Associate Programme, shall surely mean that they can continue to keep quality dance to the fore of Scottish culture for many years to come.

Cinderella is at The Festival Theatre, Edinburgh until December 30, go to capitaltheatres.com to book and bring the fairytale alive inside your heart!