Minister Edwin Tong and former Singapore president Dr Tony Tan were among the guests who enjoyed a preview of the classical ballet production at the Capitol Theatre
The tale of Cinderella, as it turns out, still has the magic to dazzle and delight an audience. That much was clear—as a glass slipper—at The Cinderella Ball, a fundraising gala held by Singapore Ballet in support of the dance company’s upcoming production.
On the evening of April 21, guests in all manner of fancy dress descended upon the foyer of the Capitol Theatre, where they were greeted by budding ballerinas and treated to a performance by the equally young cellists from the Voice of the Cello. This was all merely an appetiser for the sensorial feast that awaited guests inside the theatre itself.
Laura Hwang, chairperson of the Singapore Ballet, opened the ball with a speech, expressing her gratitude to the various patrons of the arts that were present. Among the distinguished guests that were there to appreciate the arts were guest-of-honour Edwin Tong, the minister for culture, community and youth and second minister for law; Singapore Ballet patron and former Singapore president Dr Tony Tan; and his wife, Mary Tan.
Hwang also extolled the achievements of the dance company that she helms, adding that the Singapore Ballet’s Cinderella is proudly produced by a team of Singaporean creatives. That includes Leonard Augustine Choo, the director of industry development for Singapore Fashion Council, who designed the magnificent costumes for the ballet production.
Read more: Kwok Min Yi on the challenges she faced becoming a principal ballet dancer in Singapore
Following the speech, dinner was a Cinderella-themed affair: each dish, prepared by One Farrer Hotel, featured nods to the fairy tale. The plate for the appetiser doubled as a clock, on which the Roman numerals for twelve was marked. The butternut squash veloute, meanwhile, was served in a carved pumpkin “carriage”. The playful courses were among the many topics that sparked lively conversations across the tables—that is, until, the lights dimmed for the preview of Cinderella.
In their respective roles as Cinderella and the Prince, dancers Kwok Min Yi and Satoru Agetsuma brought guests to a state of hushed awe as they performed the scene of their characters’ fateful first meeting. Kwok, the principal dancer of Singapore Ballet as well as a Gen.T honouree, looked every bit a princess in her tiara and white ballet costume, fitted with puff sleeves and a tutu. The performance was followed by two other excerpts from Cinderella, allowing guests to take in the splendour of Choo’s costumes and the graceful moves of the supporting cast.
From the applause that followed the preview, it’s safe to say that Singapore Ballet’s Cinderella will be warmly welcomed by audiences when it finally opens at the Esplanade in December this year. Until then, enjoy a sneak peek with a look inside the The Cinderella Ball below.
