An adaptation of Charles Perrault's fairy tale by Rudolf Nureyev, who puts Cinderella beneath the sunlights.

When Rudolf Noureev asked set designer Petrika Ionesco to work on his forthcoming ballet, he did not expect him to give such an innovative arrangement of Perrault's or Petipa's Cinderella. Still, after a hostile reaction, the choreographer was seduced by the idea. Because in essence, the "topic" was preserved, although modernized. A young woman is victimized by a morbid family, and her only wish is to escape the oppressive world in which she evolves. One day, her kindness is rewarded: while she runs to help a person who need help, she changes her destiny forever. This character, who embodies the fairy in Perrault's tale, is a Hollywood producer... And this is how Nureev turns the film star in a modern prince charmant.

This refreshing version of Cinderella is at the repertoire of the Paris Opera Ballet since its creation in 1986. This arrangement of Perrault's tale, whether tragic or grotesque, presents great difficulties for the dancers. They must display great qualities in acting (we think of Stéphane Phavorin playing the part of the mother), but also rare technical faculties, like Cinderella (Agnès Letestu) who has to dance in classical ballet in points, but also slip in shoes and perform a tap-dance, and then wear high heels in order to ballroom dance (Act II)!

• Watch Cinderella goes Hollywood, a documentary by Reiner E. Moritz. Featuring exclusive interviews by Agnès Letestu, José Martinez, Petrika Ionesco and Brigitte Lefèvre.