The young dancers of London Children’s Ballet will showcase their sparkling talent and dazzle theatregoers of all ages in Ella’s Big Chance: A Jazz-Age Cinderella at Peacock Theatre this July.
Pint-sized performers are set to take happily ever after into their own hands with this exciting new production, which brings author and illustrator Shirley Hughes’ glamorous retelling of the traditional Cinderella story to the stage. Considering the calibre of past productions – most recently, The Secret Garden – they will delight audience members with their passion and professionalism.
London Children’s Ballet (LCB) trusts in the magic of dance. This unique organisation casts a spell that enriches the lives of aspiring dancers and often-marginalised audiences. Founded in 1994, by Lucille Briance (a mum motivated by a desire to find a community that her shy, dance-loving daughter could join), LCB is a charity that aims to inspire children from all backgrounds through dance and introduce new audiences to ballet.
Each year, LCB chooses a timeless children’s story to stage as a ballet and selects a cast of 50 talented youngsters aged 9 to 16 to participate in six months of rehearsals, culminating in the performance experience, all free of charge. Throughout the year, LCB’s outreach work also takes ballet into schools, care homes and special needs centres in and around London.
Ella’s Big Chance: A Jazz-Age Cinderella is a brand-new addition to the company’s repertoire. The charming book, which was published in 2003, has been transformed into an 80-minute story ballet thanks to a new scenario by LCB’s artistic director Ruth Brill. Choreographed by Kristen McNally (principal character artist of the Royal Ballet) to an original score composed by Ian Stephens (whose credits include Pinocchio for Northern Ballet), the production features lavish sets and costumes by Carrie-Ann Stein, inspired by the book’s atmospheric illustrations. The onstage spectacle will be accompanied by a live orchestra, so ticketholders can expect the full ballet experience.
LCB’s interpretation of Shirley Hughes’ stylish 1920s tale promises to deliver humour and drama, as well as the fashion and exuberance of the Roaring Twenties.
Ella Cinders loves helping her father in his dress shop and laughing with her friend Buttons. Then comes the terrible day that Mr Cinders marries again. Oh dear! His new wife is bossy and proud. Worse, her two daughters are selfish and spiteful. When the family is invited to a glittering ball, held by the Duchess of Arc for her handsome son, poor Ella is left behind with only the cat and Buttons for company. But on this very special evening there is more than a little magic in the air. With the help of a fairy godmother and some sparkling courage of her own, Ella discovers that dreams can come true in the most unexpected of ways.
LCB alumni dancers include Royal Ballet principal Anna Rose O’Sullivan, English National Ballet first soloist James Streeter and choreographers Jenna Lee, Charlotte Edmonds and Arielle Smith. Ruth Brill, who has been artistic director of LCB since 2019, was also an LCB dancer. She credits her experience performing in four LCB productions as a child as the inspiration that led her into a career in dance, which included dancing with English National Ballet (2007 to 2012) and Birmingham Royal Ballet (2012 to 2019).
Whether you are a dance devotee with a keen interest in the future of British ballet or a busy parent with little ones to entertain, you won’t want to miss Ella’s Big Chance: A Jazz-Age Cinderella.
Should you wish to make a special occasion of it, the premiere performance on Thursday 3 July at 7pm will be a fun and glamorous evening for the whole family. The theatre waives its commission for one night only, so all proceeds from this performance will go to LCB’s charitable work with disadvantaged children and isolated elderly people. Use the booking form to apply for tickets.
*Promotional photography by Amber Hunt (Photography by ASH).
*Costume drawings by Carrie-Ann Stein, inspired by Shirley Hughes’ original illustrations.
London Children’s Ballet’s Ella’s Big Chance: A Jazz-Age Cinderella is at Peacock Theatre from Thursday 3 to Sunday 6 July 2025.
Running time: Approximately 1 hour 40 minutes, including an interval.
To learn more about London Children’s Ballet visit the LCB website and follow @lcbballet on Instagram and @lcblondon on X (formerly Twitter).
Update 6 July 2025: Read my review of London Children’s Ballet’s Ella’s Big Chance: A Jazz-Age Cinderella at Peacock Theatre.
Georgina Butler is an editor, a dance writer and a ballet teacher.
