When does Cinderella take place?

The performance begins on Friday, November 6, 2026, at 7:30 PM in the Great House of the Badisches Staatstheater Karlsruhe.

Is there an introduction?

Yes. An introduction begins at 7:00 PM before the performance.

How long does the performance last?

The performance lasts approximately two and a half hours, including an intermission, and ends around 10:00 PM.

What do the tickets cost?

Ticket prices start at 23 euros and range up to 73 euros depending on the seating category.

What age is the ballet suitable for?

The production is suitable for audiences aged eight and up.

What content and sensory warnings are there?

Themes include death, classism, insults, and bullying. Additionally, there will be flickering light effects, fog, and background music.

Cinderella in Karlsruhe: A fairy tale awakens between dance, music, and hope

Name: Cinderella
Start: 2026-11-06T19:30:00+01:00
End: 2026-11-06T22:00:00+01:00
Location: Badisches Staatstheater, Großes Haus

When two homeless find each other in dance

A familiar fairy tale receives a moving new form at the Badisches Staatstheater Karlsruhe: With Cinderella, resident choreographer Kristina Paulin creates her first full-length work for the Badisches Staatsballett. On November 6, 2026, a stage space between everyday life and magic opens in the Great House, where Cinderella and the Prince not only discover each other but also a piece of home.

A fairy tale about foreignness and liberation

Cinderella lives in her own home as if it were a foreign place. Work, humiliation, and the harshness of her stepmother and stepsisters define her everyday life. The Prince is also trapped in the world of the palace: rules, duties, and expectations increasingly distance him from himself. The dramaturgy of the production shifts the familiar fairy tale focus. At its center is not only the transformation through magic but the liberating power of an encounter.

Kristina Paulin's contemporary choreography

Kristina Paulin combines the control of classical ballet with the expressive energy of modern dance. Her direction makes familiar figures readable anew and leads the audience's reaction beyond fairy tale images to an emotional engagement with classism, exclusion, and the longing for belonging. The production remains firmly anchored in the narrative core of the versions by Charles Perrault and the Brothers Grimm.

Opulent stage design and vibrant sound world

The stage design by Sebastian Hannak and costumes by Bregje van Balen create an opulent theater atmosphere, where social contrasts become visible. A sensually changeable play space emerges between domestic closeness and courtly order. The Badische Staatskapelle accompanies the ballet live under the musical direction of Daniel Carlberg. Sergei Prokofiev's music unfolds its contrasts of melancholy, dance-like lightness, and pointed abundance of gestures.

An evening for families and ballet lovers

The performance is aimed at a broad audience aged eight and up and connects great stage art with an accessible fairy tale narrative. The show starts at 7:30 PM, with an introduction at 7:00 PM. The performance duration lasts until about 10:00 PM and includes an intermission. Content warnings include death, classism, insults, and bullying; the stage will also feature flickering light effects, fog, and background music.

Conclusion: A fairy tale ballet with a modern soul

Cinderella promises an intense stage experience between classical fairy tale poetry, contemporary dance language, and live orchestral music. Those who want to see how a familiar story gains new significance through precise dramaturgy, expressive bodily acting, and an empathetic staging will find an evening full of movement, light, and hope in the Great House.