Ella’s Big Chance, London Children’s Ballet Review 4*
Ella’s Big Chance, subtitled A Jazz-Age Cinderella, is this year’s production showcasing the kids of London Children’s Ballet
Ever since I belatedly discovered London Children’s Ballet, I’ve been a keen regular at their shows. And they never disappoint – more than that, I always leave the theatre marvelling at the sheer talent and professionalism of its young dancers.
And so it was again this year, when their latest show, Ella’s Big Chance – A Jazz-Age Cinderella, lit up the Peacock Theatre.
Eva Schwartz as the Flapper Girl in Ella’s Big Chance – A Jazz-Age Cinderella. Photography by ASH
Just a quick recap before I get into the substance of the performance: London Children’s Ballet is a remarkable organisation. It was founded in 1994 by the visionary Lucille Briance as a charity aimed at offering nine to 16-years-olds a very special dance and stage experience – and all cost-free.
So, every autumn 50 children aged nine to 16 are picked through audition from literally hundreds of hopefuls. They don’t have to come from vocational schools, but they have to show talent, commitment and a touch of showmanship.
The rest comes through free training and hard work culminating in a run of performances of an original, especially commissioned work in early summer.
Behind the Scenes at London Children’s Ballet
This year’s ballet, Ella’s Big Chance – A Jazz Age Cinderella, was adapted by LCB’s artistic director Ruth Brill from the eponymous book written and illustrated by the late Shirley Hughes, and choreographed by The Royal Ballet’s Kristen McNally, in her first full-length ballet and simultaneously her first work with children.
London Children’s Ballet in Ella’s Big Chance – A Jazz-Age Cinderella. Photography by ASH
Ian Stephens’s very danceable jazzy score (played live under Philip Hesketh’s baton) honours the story’s setting in the 1920s, as indeed do Carrie-Ann Stein’s beautiful costumes, inspired by Shirley Hughes’s own illustrations.
The plot is based on Cinderella. Our heroine, Ella, runs her ineffectual father’s dress-making shop and is much put upon by her vile stepmother and stepsisters.
Mbayang Ndiaye, Georgia McBride and Ailsa Levy in Ella’s Big Chance – A Jazz-Age Cinderella. Photography by ASH
Her sole comfort comes from her loyal friend Buttons and her cat. Her family exclude her from the invitation to the Duke’s ball, but with a little help from a down-to-earth, umbrella-carrying Fairy Godmother, a glamorously attired Ella goes to ball and duly charms the Duke.
Gina Harris-Sullivan and Jude Illing in Ella’s Big Chance – A Jazz-Age Cinderella. Photography by ASH
The rest you know… midnight flight… lost shoe… lovelorn Duke… except for the final plot twist… no spoilers here, though… well, not quite…
Gina Harris-Sullivan and Toby Gray in Ella’s Big Chance – A Jazz-Age Cinderella. Photography by ASH
Carrie-Ann Stein’s colourful eye-filling and very adaptable sets go from town square to the inside of Ella’s shop and then the palace; and McNally’s choreography fills them with movement and dance at every stage.
The town square is a flurry of bakers and butchers, a milkman, a florist, the all-important postman, who will bring the invites to the ball, and assorted townspeople. Ella’s shop is a hive of activity, with customers coming and going.
Every last member of the cast is thoroughly engaging, from the littlest ones to the teenagers whom you mentally earmark to look for in professional companies in years to come. After all, some of today’s big names, like Royal Ballet principal Anna Rose O’Sullivan, are LCB alumni.
Ella was danced by the truly charming 15-year-old Gina Harris-Sullivan, a hugely expressive actress and elegant dancer, with a nice arabesque line, which the choreographer rightly made a lot of.
As the Duke, 15-year-old Jude Illing, who’s about to join the English National Ballet School, showed great partnering ability.
And as the human of two capricious felines, I was truly impressed with 12-year-old Theana Amolo’s slinky grey cat, paws, twirling tail, headbutts and all…
Theana Amolo as the Cat in Ella’s Big Chance – A Jazz-Age Cinderella. Photography by ASH
Buttons, the irrepressible 15-year-old Toby Gray, was a great match for Harris-Sullivan’s Ella; and the trio of Georgia McBride, Ailsa Levy and Mbayang Ndiaye, showed detailed acting and comedic power as the Stepmother and Sisters respectively.
There was magic in the air at the Peacock; and the hush of concentration from the very young audience was proof, if proof were needed, of just how enthralling Ella’s Big Chance was.
© Teresa Guerreiro
(Banner image credit: Ella’s Big Chance – a Jazz Age Cinderella. Photography by ASH)
London Children’s Ballet, Ella’s Big Chance – A Jazz Age Cinderella is at the Peacock 3 – 6 July 2025