This autumn, masters of storytelling Northern Ballet will bring a magical production of Cinderella, choreographed by Michael Pink, to the UK for the first time.

Continuing its canon of stories that connect, the production – which was originated by Milwaukee Ballet in 2009 – will have audiences enthralled and entranced with breathtaking ballet, tender duets and laugh-out-loud characters. The ballet will premiere in Nottingham on 23rd & 24th October, before touring to Newcastle (28th – 31st October), Norwich (18th – 21st November) finishing with 20-show Christmas run in Leeds (15th December – 2nd January).

Performed to Prokofiev’s famous classical score played live by the Northern Ballet Sinfonia, this is the perfect introduction to classical ballet. It brings to life all the key elements of the traditional rags-to-riches fairy tale from evil Stepmothers to a love-struck Prince, but with Pink’s own spin to elevate some of the story’s other heartwarming character arcs.

Here, we see Cinderella watched over not by a fairy godmother but by the spirit of her own mother, helping from afar to bring about her happily ever after. Alongside the emotional and romantic touch points of Cinderella’s love story with the Prince, Pink also brings moments of hilarity to the ballet with the stepsisters, performed in true pantomime fashion by male dancers from the company.

Pink has a long association with Northern Ballet, where he was Associate Artistic Director between 1993 – 1998. Working closely with former Artistic Director Christopher Gable CBE, he created the critically acclaimed Dracula as well as versions of The Hunchback of Notre Dame, Swan Lake and Giselle.

Northern Ballet is also proud to be working with a dance school in each touring city to inspire the next generation, inviting local children across the country to become part of the Cinderella cast in three key roles including a dressmaker, a cobbler and a gardener. The young cast will be part of the spellbinding transformation scene as Cinderella gets ready to go to the ball.

Through magnificent set design by Bruce Brockman, exquisite costume design by Peter Cazalet and evocative lighting by David Grill, the audience is transported from the gloom of Cinderella’s home to fantastical gardens and lavish, sweeping ballrooms – complete with dazzling carriages and sparkling ‘glass’ ballet slippers.

Tickets are on sale now, visit www.northernballet.com/Cinderella   for more information. Each venue will offer an audio-described performance to improve accessibility for those with visual impairments.