Gransnet forums

Culture/Arts

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

(164 Posts)
Marilla Thu 28-Sept-23 16:07:13

Scottish Ballet have announced there will a new twist in their performances of Cinderella. Audiences will not know until the curtain rises whether they will see a female dancing the role as Cinderella or a male dancer playing Cinders.

Rosie51 Mon 02-Oct-23 00:14:35

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.

Rosie51 Mon 02-Oct-23 00:15:55

That post should have quoted caravansera

Frankie51 Mon 02-Oct-23 07:26:27

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

Daddima Mon 02-Oct-23 10:36:06

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

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

Grandma29 Mon 02-Oct-23 12:45:10

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

Maremia Mon 02-Oct-23 12:45:51

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.

Philippa111 Mon 02-Oct-23 13:07:43

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.

Mollygo Mon 02-Oct-23 13:29:09

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.

JudyBloom Mon 02-Oct-23 15:15:19

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.

HelterSkelter1 Mon 02-Oct-23 15:33:33

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

SueEH Mon 02-Oct-23 17:53:45

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

Philippa111 Mon 02-Oct-23 17:59:49

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.

Yorkslass23 Mon 02-Oct-23 18:23:05

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.

Suzieque66 Thu 14-Dec-23 17:03:21

I wouldnt mind at all ... as long as he wasnt dressed in a frock and a blonde wig !!

MrsKen33 Thu 14-Dec-23 18:54:41

I would go out of interest. It might be brilliant as was the male ‘Swan Lake’. After all in traditional pan to ,the price is played by a girl.

eazybee Thu 14-Dec-23 19:27:57

It was originally a 'breeches role', an opportunity for an actress to display her legs, no pretence she was a male.

Freya5 Thu 14-Dec-23 23:31:09

No definitely not. Spoil another traditional tale for the sake of what, absolutely nothing.

Parsley3 Fri 15-Dec-23 04:57:00

Women have acted in the role of Hamlet so why not have a male Cinders who gets the Princess?

RosiesMaw Fri 15-Dec-23 11:43:59

eazybee

It was originally a 'breeches role', an opportunity for an actress to display her legs, no pretence she was a male.

I wonder if you mean the Prince Charming Principal Boy pantomime role?
Both male and female ballet dancers show their legs (and often a little bit more!) grin

annsixty Fri 15-Dec-23 12:00:51

Roses post reminds me of the little boy reputed to ask his mummy if the “little box” the Prince was wearing was for the Princess to stand on when the male dancer lifted her up.
Did I read it on here many years ago?

grumppa Fri 15-Dec-23 13:31:09

I would like to know more about the Cinders ballet: is it the same score as the Cinderella version - Prokoviev? Has Cinders got two ugly brothers, and will they be played by women, reflecting the Frederick Ashton 1948 ballet, in which he and Robert Helpmann played the Ugly Sisters?

It could make for a very entertaining evening, but I would like to choose which one I am going to see.

Bridie22 Fri 15-Dec-23 13:59:40

No, I would like to know the cast list beforehand.

eazybee Fri 15-Dec-23 18:27:24

Artos: ^I remember going to the Pantomime every Christmas when I was young. The Principal Boy was always played by a female, and the Dame was always a male comedian. We expected it. Not sure why such a fuss is being made by some over this.
Pantomime has different roots from ballet.

The title of this thread is misleading:
Would you like to see Cinderella performed by a male dancer?
This isn't the case apparently . There is the female role, Cinderella, and the male role, Cinders, plus a modern take on the story.
I thought the role of Cinderella was to be danced alternately by male and female dancers. I was wrong.

Patsy70 Fri 15-Dec-23 18:43:41

No.

Nanatoone Fri 15-Dec-23 19:20:34

No I would not go. I never know where to look with a male ballet dancer! I prefer traditional roles personally. My grandson was Joseph in his nativity this year and Mary was a boy. I have no idea why but there were plenty of little girls who could have played the part.