National Ballet of Japan revives Ashton's beloved Cinderella

Yuri Kimura as Cinderella in Ashton's Cinderella

Yuri Kimura as Cinderella and Shogo Hayami as the Prince in Ashton's Cinderella

Kazuki Sano as the Jester and Satoshi Nakamura as a Stepsister in Ashton's Cinderella

National Ballet of Japan in Sir Frederick Ashton's Cinderella

By Naomi Mori, 22 October 2025

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“the score played by Tokyo Philharmonic Orchestra added more sparkle to this already magical stage”

Reviewed at New National Theatre, Tokyo: Opera House, Tokyo on 18 October 2025

Cinderella (Sir Frederick Ashton)

National Ballet of Japan

Marc Leroy-Calatayud, Conductor

Misato Tomita, Conductor

Wendy Ellis Somes, Director

David Walker, Set Designer, Costume Designer

Yuji Sawada, Lighting Designer

Tokyo Philharmonic Orchestra

Malin Thoors, Director

ABT presents the classics with slightly uneven results

Ivy Lin, 25th October

ABT offer some outstanding performances in a classical quadruple bill but there was a lack of confidence and uniformity within the corps de ballet.

***11

Ashton’s La Fille mal gardée: the most joyous of ballets

Amanda Jennings, 18th October

If you’re in need of a pick-me-up, get thee to the Royal Opera House and see La Fille mal gardée, a gem of a ballet. There’s a long roster of impressive casts to choose from.

****1

The Royal Ballet School: a triumphant display of excellence throughout

Jonathan Gray, 12th July

It was a wonderful, heartening afternoon – it’s no wonder nearly all the 2025 graduates have gained contracts with several major ballet companies.

*****

ABT: Ashton's Sylvia showcases the entire company

Ivy Lin, 10th July

The audience walked out of the theater feeling airborne and filled with the kind of joy you only feel after a truly special performance. Sylvia is an absolute treasure.

*****

Ballet Central at the Linbury: keen to prove its versatility

Deborah Weiss, 17th June

Ballet Central provides an extremely varied programme of new and old, classical and contemporary dance, with plenty of aplomb.

***11

Natalia Osipova at the Linbury: a revelation

Amanda Jennings, 6th March

Osipova has always, since her very earliest appearances on stage, stood out for the sheer energy and commitment she shows in all her work. This is no exception.

****1

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Naomi Mori

Naomi is a blogger living in Tokyo and travels frequently to see ballet. She is a law graduate of Waseda University and a former film publicist, film critic and IT business researcher/strategist. She blogs at La Dolce Vita in Japanese. She tweets about ballet as @naomip_86. and takes ballet class regularly