Scottish Ballet’s Cinders! returns with four love stories – including two same-sex couples

Scottish Ballet is set to revisit its innovative adaptation of the Cinderella narrative with the upcoming 2026 revival of Cinders!, premiering at Edinburgh’s Festival Theatre on December 11 before embarking on a tour across Glasgow, Aberdeen, and Inverness. This production marks a continued commitment to inclusive storytelling by offering audiences four distinct romantic pairings, notably integrating same-sex couples in leading roles for the first time in the company’s festive repertoire.

The original staging of Cinders! in 2023 introduced a novel theatrical surprise: the gender of the protagonist and their romantic counterpart was undisclosed until the performance began. Expanding this concept, the forthcoming revival features four possible pairings, with two involving Cinders falling in love with a partner of the same gender. Scottish Ballet emphasizes that this approach is unprecedented in ballet, granting viewers the option to either discover the castings beforehand or experience the surprise live.

Edinburgh and Glasgow audiences will have the opportunity to witness all four variations during the run, while the productions in Aberdeen and Inverness will showcase three versions each due to logistical constraints. Although the core choreography remains largely consistent across these iterations, select sequences adjust subtly to highlight the unique dynamics each couple brings, particularly the iconic scene where the glass slipper is tried on—a moment that has drawn special attention from performers and creative staff alike.

The artistic vision behind these changes is deeply rooted in fostering representation and authenticity. Several dancers from the queer community have resonated with Cinders’ journey to the ball as an allegory for embracing identity within a welcoming environment. The company’s CEO and artistic director, Christopher Hampson, has articulated a philosophy of enriching classical ballet narratives through broader interpretations, challenging traditionalist criticisms by demonstrating enhanced emotional depth and audience enthusiasm.

Hampson reflects on the personal significance of this project, recalling the scarcity of visible same-sex relationships in media during his youth and acknowledging the evolution in contemporary storytelling. His leadership underscores a desire to depict love in its diverse forms, free from narratives of marginalization or exclusion. This ethos is evident not only in Cinders! but also in previous progressive casting decisions, such as the gender-neutral role of Drosselmeyer in The Nutcracker and the masked Snow Wolves in The Snow Queen, which allow fluidity in gender representation.

Performers themselves have expressed the profound impact of portraying these inclusive relationships. Soloist Grace Horler, who embodies Princess Louise opposite a female Cinders, described the emotional weight of their initial encounter in rehearsal. Similarly, Yipeng Xu, a recent addition to the company who performs as a male Cinders paired with a male Prince, regards the opportunity to share this story as both a personal milestone and a meaningful message affirming that love transcends gender.

Set against the backdrop of a family-run emporium at the turn of the twentieth century, the narrative follows Cinders’ transition from orphaned hardship under the harsh rule of Mrs Thorne and her children to a magical transformation that leads to the Royal Ball. The production’s design by Elin Steele, complemented by Hayley Egan’s video artistry and a live orchestral performance of Prokofiev’s score by the Scottish Ballet Orchestra, creates a richly immersive atmosphere.

While embracing progressive themes, the revival retains the enchanting spirit of the Cinderella tale, inviting audiences to explore multiple versions of happiness and belonging. This dynamic staging not only reflects evolving societal values but also reaffirms ballet’s capacity for reinvention and relevance.

Details regarding the full touring schedule and casting specifics remain subject to change, particularly in response to unforeseen circumstances such as performer availability. However, Scottish Ballet’s pioneering approach with Cinders! positions the company at the forefront of inclusive dance theatre, expanding the traditional canon to celebrate love’s diverse expressions.