Tchaikovsky: The Nutcracker
Act I
The ballet opens on Christmas Eve at the home of the Stahlbaum family. Young Clara Stahlbaum and her brother Fritz eagerly await the arrival of their godfather, Drosselmeyer, who brings gifts. Drosselmeyer presents Clara with a beautiful nutcracker doll, which Fritz jealously breaks. Drosselmeyer repairs the doll, and the children go to bed.
That night, Clara sneaks back to the living room to check on her nutcracker. As the clock strikes midnight, strange things begin to happen. The Christmas tree grows, and the nutcracker comes to life, leading an army of toy soldiers into battle against the Mouse King and his mice. With Clara’s help, the nutcracker defeats the Mouse King and transforms into a handsome prince.
Act II
The Nutcracker Prince takes Clara on a magical journey to the Land of Sweets, ruled by the Sugar Plum Fairy. They are greeted with a celebration of dances from various countries, including the Spanish dance, Arabian dance, Chinese dance, and the Russian dance. The highlight is the Dance of the Sugar Plum Fairy, showcasing the ethereal celesta.
Clara and the prince are honoured with a grand waltz performed by all the sweets. As the celebration concludes, Clara awakens back in her living room, holding her beloved nutcracker, unsure if her adventure was a dream or reality.
Reviewed at: https://www.theguardian.com/stage/2018/dec/09/the-nutcracker-royal-ballet-review-nunez-muntagirov-osullivan-sambe
The programme starts 30 minutes after doors open and on Saturdays the main feature about 60 minutes after doors open.
The Nutcracker is renowned for its enchanting music, including the “Waltz of the Flowers” and the “Dance of the Sugar Plum Fairy,” and its timeless story of wonder and imagination. A treat for the whole family – a classic with a special place in hearts of ballet fans around the world. Peter Wright’s timeless and enchanting interpretation of The Nutcracker has been in The Royal Ballet’s repertory for over thirty years.
Doors open:
2pm Sunday 24th November 2024
Director:
Choreography: Peter Wright. Conductor: Barry Wordsworth
Genre:
Recorded live ballet
Runtime:
2h 16m
Certificate:
PG
Starring:
Marianela Nuñez, Vadim Muntagirov, Gary Avis, Anna Rose O’Sullivan, Marcelino Sambé
