Once upon a time, there was a dejected daughter, a spiteful stepmother, a pouty prince, and some selfish sisters.

You know the fairy tale, now feel the magic of Laurent Pelly’s whimsical production of Cinderella. After packed-out runs at the Metropolitan Opera of New York and Royal Opera House, Covent Garden, this acclaimed staging of Cinderella makes a grand Australian debut.

Massenet’s classic opera has long delighted audiences with its sumptuous music and big heart. This production adds a delightful dash of humour with playful choreography and extravagant costumes in outrageous shapes and sizes. Barbara de Limburg’s extraordinary set is a pop-up storybook world inspired by an original illustrated edition of the fairy tale, complete with fold-out balcony and paper-cut carriage.

Performed in English, this crowd-pleasing production is perfect for newcomers, but opera-lovers are in for a royal treat. Massenet’s score offers plenty of opportunities for the cast to show off. Rising star Emily Edmonds, audience favourite Emma Matthews and internationally renowned Australian mezzo soprano Margaret Plummer will relish the comedy and poignancy of the score. We can’t promise you happily ever after, but you can expect 90 minutes of joy and wonder. Dust off your glass slippers and step into a land of enchantment and nostalgia. Maybe dreams really do come true.