The stage was set for gala evenings with a difference at Birmingham Hippodrome a few weeks ago (Tue 20 – Fri 23 Feb 2018). Alongside the public performances of Sir Mathew Bourne’s Cinderella, the city’s premier theatre hosted a week of fundraising events and creative learning projects inspired by the re-imagined love story.

Over the week the theatre welcomed more than 250 people for three dinners themed around the popular fairy-tale. Over £10,000 was raised for the theatre’s Hippodrome Projects dance programmes.

The gala evenings kicked off with a Leading Ladies reception of networking, delicious food and a specially created cocktail designed by The Edgbaston Boutique Hotel and Cocktail Lounge. Guests also got up close with the show’s creator Sir Matthew Bourne for a Q&A hosted by BBC presenter and Hippodrome Development Board member Joanne Malin.

A Cinderella Gala evening saw 100 guests from Birmingham’s business community enjoy a night of first-class dining, glamour and world-renowned dance in support of youth dance opportunities.  Guests included – BRI Wealth, Eversheds Sutherland, HSBC, Mills & Reeve, Pertemps, RBS and Tinker Taylor and Professional Polishing Services.

The following evening, dance students from top regional academies and colleges performed a special Curtain Raiser to a packed house ahead of the main public performance.  Now in its ninth year, the Curtain Raiser – which was sponsored by Tilney – has become a regular feature of Matthew Bourne’s Hippodrome week. Produced in association with Re:Bourne, the charitable arm of New Adventures, the performance featured choreography by the young people. The Curtain Raiser performance featured 20 dancers from BMET College (Birmingham Metropolitan) Walsall College, BOA (Birmingham Ormiston Academy), Stratford College & Halesowen College.

There were also pop up performances titled ‘Little Cinders’ performed by children from Hodge Hill primary school.

Rachael Magson, Head of Fundraising at Birmingham Hippodrome commented: “It was a very busy week for us at Birmingham Hippodrome with three different gala evenings all in support of our Hippodrome Projects. As a charity, we rely on these events and other charitable donations to help us expand our programs and reach as many people as possible.

“Our dance programs have a truly transformative impact on the lives and careers of young creative students many of whom have gone on to careers in the arts and further dance study. I want to say a big thank you to all who attended or contributed through individual donations. With your help, we will be able to achieve so much more.”