Cinderella

Veronica hero Photo Credits

Veronica Tennant as Cinderella (1969) Photo by Ken Bell.

  • Broom sketch copy 2
    Broom sketch copy 2

    Pencil illustration of Cinderella’s broom designed by Jürgen Rose (1968).

  • Celia and Norm Campbell copy 2
    Celia and Norm Campbell copy 2

    Norman Campbell and Celia Franca examining set model for the CBC film production of Cinderella (ca. 1968).

  • Veronica copy 2
    Veronica copy 2

    Veronica Tennant as Cinderella (1969).

  • Summer fairy tutu copy 2
    Summer fairy tutu copy 2

    Summer Fairy costume from Cinderella (1967).

  • Summer fairy headpeice copy 2
    Summer fairy headpeice copy 2

    Summer Fairy headpiece from Cinderella (1967).

  • Rodriguez shoes copy 2
    Rodriguez shoes copy 2

    Pointe shoes worn by Sonia Rodriguez in the world premiere of James Kudelka’s Cinderella (2004).

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    Cinderella Ballet Talk
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    Cinderella Ballet Talk 2
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    Cinderella Performance Trailer

Our History

 Broom sketch copy 1   

 

 

The National Ballet of Canada’s first version of Cinderella had its world premiere on April 15, 1968 at Toronto’s O’Keefe Centre. This was the first production in North America and featured Veronica Tennant as Cinderella, Jeremy Blanton as the Prince and Lois Smith as the Fairy Godmother. 

Pencil illustration of Cinderella’s broom designed by Jürgen Rose (1968). 

 
 Celia and Norm Campbell copy 1   

 

 

On December 22, 1968, CBC broadcast a televised version of Cinderella. The film starred the original cast and was directed by CBC producer Norman Campbell. Cinderella won an Emmy Award the following year for Outstanding Variety or Musical Program, Variety and Classical Music. 

Norman Campbell and Celia Franca examining set model for the CBC film production of Cinderella (ca. 1968). 

 
 Summer fairy tutu copy 1   

 

 

 

Designed by Jürgen Rose, the costumes for the production were elaborate garments based on the theme of the four seasons. Unfortunately, in 1973 a fire in the wardrobe storage area destroyed all but a few costumes.  

Summer Fairy costume (1967). 
 Rodriguez shoes copy 1   

 

The National Ballet did not perform Cinderella again until May 11, 1995 when the company staged a new version choreographed by Ben Stevenson. This version was performed again in May of 2000. 

On May 8, 2004 a new production choreographed by James Kudelka had its world premiere at the Hummingbird Centre. The lead roles were performed by Sonia Rodriguez as Cinderella and Guillaume Côté as Her Prince Charming. 

Pointe shoes worn by Sonia Rodriguez in the world premiere of James Kudelka’s Cinderella (2004). 

 

Your Stories

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"I loved the 2010 production of Cinderella. It was so beautiful and also very funny. The choreography, music, sets and dancers were amazing and the dancers in the debut roles were on fire. Such a great show!"

 - Linda Fennessy, Audience Member 

"My fondest memory is being part of The Nutcracker and Cinderella productions in 1969 and 1970. I was studying at the National Ballet School and was chosen to play the Naughty Girl in The Nutcracker and had several parts in Cinderella. I will remember this experience forever. I love The National Ballet of Canada and I am now a volunteer."

- Ms. Sylvie Allard, Audience Member, Volunteer Committee Member & Volunteer, Over 30 Years