Ballet of Lights brings Cinderella to Edinburgh in a glowing reimagining of the classic tale, where four dancers in illuminated costumes turn chores, pumpkin magic, and the midnight dash into a swirl of colour and movement. Classical ballet steps meet modern light effects, creating a fresh, family-friendly theatre experience in the heart of the city. On selected dates at the Gordon Aikman Lecture Theatre in the Southside, this 60-minute show runs with limited seating, advance reservations, and first-come, first-served seats within each zone for audiences aged 5 and up.
What is Ballet of Lights?
Ballet of Lights is a contemporary stage experience where classic tales such as Sleeping Beauty, Peter Pan, and Cinderella are transformed into a luminous, one-hour performance that feels both focused and visually striking. A small cast carries each story, wearing costumes threaded with fibre-optic lights that shift in colour and intensity to echo every movement and mood. Classical ballet technique remains central, but the illuminated design makes the storytelling more accessible, especially for those new to ballet. Instead of the usual three-hour runtime of traditional productions, this abridged format keeps the narrative clear while leaving space for moments of surprise and imaginative staging
Ballet of Lights in Edinburgh: Which story is being performed now?
Ballet of Lights in Edinburgh is currently featuring Cinderella, enchanting audiences aged 5 and up. Stay tuned—more classic stories will be brought to life soon.
Cinderella
Cinderella grew from centuries-old folk tales, with Charles Perrault’s 1697 version and later Grimm retellings shaping the story audiences know today. It follows a kind young woman forced into servitude by her step-family until a fairy godmother sends her to the royal ball, where a whirlwind night, a lost glass slipper, and a determined prince change her future. In Ballet of Lights, her journey from ashes to enchantment is traced through costumes embroidered with points of light and a score that blends classical pieces by composers such as Tchaikovsky, Handel, and Rossini, fusing classical elegance with the on-stage technology and deepening the emotional bond between the characters and the audience.
