AD - We were provided with tickets to review this show in May 2026.
This new production by English National Ballet is the perfect introduction to ballet for children and their families.
Performed by students of the English National Ballet's graduate programme, it's a chance to be inspired and entertained by the next generation of dancers.
Specifically created for a younger audience, you can expect a shortened version of Prokofiev's score (recorded rather than live) alongside gentle narration which helps a younger audience to easily follow the story along.
We meet nature-loving Cinderella who lives on the outskirts of an enchanted woodland with her evil stepmother and stepsisters. Her long days are filled with boring chores but rather than dwelling on things, Cinderella always tries to make the best of a bad situation.
Then out of the blue, a letter arrives and the sisters are all invited to a Garden Ball where Cinderella's fate could be changed forever!
Need to know:
📆 30 & 31 May 2026 at Newcastle Theatre Royal with 5 performance times to choose from⌚ 1 hour 40 mins including interval
⚡Triggers: Haze & Strobes
🎫Tickets available from £13. Discounted family tickets for groups of 4 available.
✅Recommended for families with children aged 3+ 🎟️Book: https://www.theatreroyal.co.uk/whats-on/my-first-ballet-cinderella/
Our Review
If you're going to see this at Newcastle Theatre Royal, I can let you know that the theatre was nice and cool on the afternoon of our performance (when it was 24C in Newcastle) and they had ice cream for sale during the interval.
This was such a beautiful production with strong and powerful yet graceful dancing, stunning costumes and fantastic storytelling (and there's even a few laughs). The young childen sitting around me were absolutely captivated and one little girl was mimicking the dance moves as she watched along. So sweet to see that this production is inspiring dancers of the future like this.
I loved the range on display on stage - from the overly dramatic step-mother with her exagerrated moves to the clumsy step-sisters who couldn't put one foot in front of the other during their dance lessons to the grace and beauty of Cinderella dancing around the forest.
My favourite scene was with 'Ella's Fairygodmother in the forest. Ella has been trapped inside her house for years and dreams of the woodland creatures she once knew. In this scene, the woodland creatures in her head are brought to life on stage. It's really clever how the Fox dances exactly as you'd imagine a Fox to dance and a Hare is exactly how you'd imagine a Hare to dance.
Everyone in the audience loved this scene and during the interval there were lots of discussions about who our favourite animal was.
The Fairy Godmother's costume is STUNNING and I think it's probably the best Fairy Godmother costume I have ever laid eyes on. In fact all of the costumes are lovely.
There's a strong link to nature in this version of Cinderella and Ella's dress and carriage is created using forest flowers which as you can imagine, is just gorgeous. Visually, it's a beautiful production.
I am no professional but the dance moves seemed perfect to me and the strength those dancers must have in their legs in mind-blowing. It really feels like you are watching proper talent on stage in front of you and you get that feeling that you really are watching something special and highly skilled.
The story is very easy to follow along with a narrator on stage who keeps things moving along nicely. The music is recorded and whilst it's a key component of the show, never feels over-bearing or like it's too much and is a nice introduction to classical music.
What a lovely way to spend an afternoon. This production is aimed at families with young children but even as an adult, it had me captivated. A huge well done to cast and crew.
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About Newcastle Theatre Royal
📌 Newcastle Theatre Royal. 100 Grey Street. Newcastle Upon Tyne. NE1 6BR. Doors open 1 hour prior to each performance. You can visit the Green Room Bar or 100 Grey Street Bar before this time (check opening hours). 🚃 You can travel for free on Tyne & Wear Metro / Shields Ferry for up to 2 hours before your performance and 2 hours afterwards to/from Monument Metro Station. Simply show your theatre ticket to inspectors if asked (and if the gates are closed, show your ticket at a manned gate). 🚗 Paid parking is available nearby at Dean Street Car Park (NE1 1PG) or other City Centre Car Parks (check car park closing times). 🍷 Dine at Cote and show your ticket to receive a complimentary glass of wine. I also recommend The Green Room, Gaucho, PTMY, Dabbawal, Lola Jeans, Cafe Andaluz, Hen & Hops, Mowgli & Fat Hippo for pre-theatre dining. I have dined at all of these restaurants and can personally recommend as providing good value pre-theatre dining within easy walking distance. 🧥 There is no cloakroom and luggage, large backpacks, laptops and holdalls are not permitted. Booster cushions are available (please ask a member of staff), bag checks are in place. Please see here for a list of items which are not permitted. ♿ Wheelchair spaces, free companion tickets, accessible toilets & lifts are available. You can find out more about access here: https://www.theatreroyal.co.uk/plan-your-visit/access-information_access-facilities/ 🍧 A range of food & drinks are available to purchase inside the theatre and their sale provide much-needed income to the theatre. Bag searches are in operation and banned items include alcohol which has been purchased outside of the venue (including wrapped gifts), cans, glass, metal, ceramic containers and stong smelling or noisy food. You cannot take hot food into the theatre. Selected performances do not allow any external food or drinks to be brought into the theatre (medical exemptions aside). The theatre is cashless. 💰Several discounts are available including £10 tickets for those aged 18-30 for selected performances, theatre membership and group bookings.
What's Next at Newcastle Theatre Royal
Find out more & book here: https://www.theatreroyal.co.uk/whats-on/- 30 & 31 May 2026 - My First Ballet : Cinderella
- 2 - 6 June 2026 - The Ballad of Johnny & June
- 9 - 13 June 2026 - Gerry & Sewell
- 16 & 17 June 2026 - This Is Rambert
- 19 & 20 June 2026 - Peppa Pig's Big Family Show
- 22 - 27 June 2026 - Operation Mincemeat
- 28 June 2026 - Something In The Water
- 30 June - 4 July 2026 - Fawlty Towers
- 7 - 11 July 2026 - The Spy Who Came in from the Cold
- 12 July 2026 - The Cramlington Train Wreckers
- 21 - 25 July 2026 - Guys & Dolls by Newcastle Musical Theatre Company
- 27 July - 1 August 2026 - The Bodyguard
- 4 - 8 August 2026 - Annie
- 11 - 15 August 2026 - Barnum
- 18 - 22 August 2026 - The Silence of the Lambs
- 8 - 12 September 2026 - The Car Man
- 15 - 19 Sept 2026 - The Anastasia File
- 23 September - 11 October 2026 - Mrs. Doubtfire
- 15 - 24 October 2026 - Our Friends in the North 1979-84
- 28 - 31 October 2026 - Cinderella by Northern Ballet
- 10 - 14 November 2026 - The Hollow
- 24 November 2026 - 17 January 2027 - Jack & the Beanstalk
- 18 - 30 January 2027 - Mean Girls
- 9 - 13 February 2027 - Dirty Dancing
- 23 - 27 Februray 2027 - Christmas Carol Goes Wrong
- 11 March 2027 - The Great Opera Mystery
- 13 - 17 April 2027 - Paranormal Activity
- 20 April - 1 May 2027 - Matthew Bourne's Cinderella
- 10 May - 15 May 2027 - Grease
- 8 - 19 June 2027 - Cats
- 19 - 24 July 2027 - Everyone's Talking About Jamie
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