Would you like to see Cinderella performed by a male dancer?

Much ado about nothing. Although I doubt there was ever a female-to-male Cinderella, I don't see the point (no pun intended!) Unless someone is out to prove us all 'gender biased' by perhaps pushing the envelope. We have the right to like or dislike anyone, regardless. And we do. Gender should not come into it. We've been watching male ballet dancers fully showing their proof of gender, physically. Again, who cares. I won't go out of my way to see a man playing the role of a female or vice versa. The original story IS the story. I choose what I choose, as should everyone. It is their business, not mine. It is no skin off my nose.

Mollygo

Philippa111
I would like my granddaughter to see this
But would you want to pay out for expensive tickets on the off chance that she would not?
For me choice is the main issue here.

Mollygo.....I didn't say I'd want to pay for it....lol! It will be far too expensive as most things are now. But I support the idea.

I’d definitely go. If it’s anything like Matthew Bourne’s Swan Lake it will be fab.

That clip is just lovely. Personally I wouldn't mind which straw I drew.

No, I would definitely not, leave Cinderella alone, Cinderella is Cinderella - a female, end of! It's so tiresome when companies try to change traditional stories to suit - they should just make up their own instead of twisting the originals.

Philippa111
I would like my granddaughter to see this
But would you want to pay out for expensive tickets on the off chance that she would not?
For me choice is the main issue here.

The world is changing. Gender is changing.

In this instance it might be good to see a male figure in the passive role that is traditionally allocated to the girl, and the old story of the powerless woman whose only hope in life is to be saved by a knight in shining armour is well outdated. It's actually a damaging role model for young girls and boys

Women are no longer the property of men and at their whim... if the shoe fits she is saved by the man... if it doesn't she has no future!!
Many of these old stories play into the outdated roles of women and men.

I would like my granddaughter to see this.

Silver Swans, how lovely.
The concept of a male Cinders is economically viable. Just look at the success of Babette Cole's 'Prince Cinders' picture book. The thought of not knowing which version you are paying for is a different story, and that might be the true issue here.
Who mentioned 1660? Yes that was King Charles the second's Restoration, when women were welcome to perform.
And the folk who are saying I don't agree with a male Cinders, but never go to ballet anyway. Obviously you are not the target audience.
Yes, I love ballet, but agree that there have been problems with abuse during training, which hopefully may now be addressed and eliminated.

No I wouldn’t. Why do they have to change things.?
Tradtions should stay as they are in my opinion

Frankie51, this is obviously not as good as the ‘real thing’, but gives an idea.

youtu.be/BvMT5MblXX4?si=dQpzQxF-1VX-4WL3

I would go. I'm in a over 55's ballet class. (Silver Swans) I used to dance at school and love ballet.
I think ballet is a beautiful art and I love watching any talented dancers performing ,male or female. It wouldn't bother me at all . It's just a role reversal.
I like the traditions to be shaken up a bit . I've seen endless variations of the Nutcracker and Swan Lake . It can get rather boring . I wish I'd seen the Matthew Bourne version of Swan Lake

That post should have quoted caravansera

From that clip I imagine the alternative version will be good. I still think the paying public should get to choose which version they see. I've seen two conventional portrayals of Cinderella, so if I were to book a ticket I'd be more inclined to want to see the alternative version. It's an expensive gamble to take if you favour one version over the other.

I'm not sure that the dance will be radically different. This from Scottish Ballet's website:

Will the costumes differ?

No – the Princess who sweeps Cinders off his feet will wear the same sensational dress that the female Cinders will wear to the ball in her performances. There will be the same sparkle and glamour in every show!

Will the choreography differ?

Some small sections will, and you might notice some interesting nuances in movement/delivery, which is something we’re enjoying exploring. Look out for content being posted on Scottish Ballet’s social media, interrogating this more.

There's a short clip on the site of principal Bruno Micchiardi and guest principal Jessica Fyfe rehearsing what appears to be the male Cinders / princess version which shows some of those nuances - she offers her hand for him to take, she lifts his chin. It all looks rather lovely.

www.youtube.com/watch?v=YUUhsPR6884

Dinahmo

I think that Scottish Ballet is fed up with putting on the same old classics every Christmas and just want to stir things up a bit.

But some of the performances will be the same old classics, that's the point! Nobody will know until the performance starts whether they are getting the innovative performance or "the same old classic". Can you not see the problem???

Exactly Mollygo. I could be tempted by a new take on an old classic but I want to know before I spend ££££ on a ticket what I'm buying in to. It seems disrespectful to me to say "you can pay ££££ for a ticket and we'll decide what you get to watch". I can't think of any other situation where I'd be expected to hand over my money with no certainty of what I would receive in exchange. Why is it so many can't understand this very basic concern??

Deedaa

Well I've seen Matthew Bourne's Swan Lake several times and his "vampire" Sleeping Beauty is marvellous. Why not change things around? It all sounds like fun.

Why not? But why not let people make their choice. For me, that’s the main issue.
That sounds like fun is a choice for people to make for themselves, not for someone else to make for them.
If they weren’t worried, they wouldn’t need to make it a secret.

I think that Scottish Ballet is fed up with putting on the same old classics every Christmas and just want to stir things up a bit.

Well I've seen Matthew Bourne's Swan Lake several times and his "vampire" Sleeping Beauty is marvellous. Why not change things around? It all sounds like fun.

icanhandthemback

^Or order an expensive box of chocolates but you won’t know whether it will be white, milk or dark chocolate until you open it.?^

It's all chocolate to me though and as a chocoholic, I'd eat any of them.

Or to quote Forrest Gump:
"My mom always said life was like a box of chocolates. You never know what you're gonna get.”

I always look at the leaflet!

Or order an expensive box of chocolates but you won’t know whether it will be white, milk or dark chocolate until you open it.?

It's all chocolate to me though and as a chocoholic, I'd eat any of them.

I like to know what's on the packet before I buy something.

Jzpap

I’d definitely go, it’s a great initiative by Scottish Ballet. I think people need to move with the times and embrace change. By not doing so our generation gets a bad name and rightly so

🤣🤣🤣
If move with the times means paying for things I don’t want, I’ll stick with your casual ageism. Jzpap.
Let’s move with the times . . .

Would everyone else book cinema seats for an evening out, but you won’t know till you get there whether you’re watching violence, romance or sci-fi.

Or order an expensive duvet which may be duckdown or polyester wadding, but you won’t know till you get it.

Or order an expensive box of chocolates but you won’t know whether it will be white, milk or dark chocolate until you open it.

Or make a restaurant reservation, but you won’t know whether your table is indoors or outdoors until you arrive.

Do I hear every generation going for a lack of choice?
Are you really saying moving with the times means no right to personal preference?

I think the idea of making Cinderella a man is ridiculous.
But I wouldn't go to any ballet. The way classical ballet dancers are produced is tantamount to abuse in too many cases.

I don’t think this is the same as theatrical custom, like principal boys and characters like Prince Orlovsky in Die Fledermaus being played by women, but just a bandwagon being jumped upon to boost ticket sales.