If you fancy seeing some top ballet in London, then don’t miss this brilliant production. The Nutcracker has been delighting audiences since it first debuted in St Petersburg in 1892. Since then it has been adapted countless times with Peter Wright’s interpretation of the classic proving a particular favourite since it was first performed by The Royal Ballet.
The story begins in the home of the Stahlbaums, who are busy hosting a Christmas party. The Stahlbaums young daughter Clara is looking forward to the party especially as she is looking forward to seeing Father Christmas. During the evening, Clara is presented with a Christmas gift by the mysterious Dr Drosselmeyer. It is a Nutcracker doll. In his excitement to examine the gift, Clara’s brother Freddie manages to break the gift. Luckily, the mysterious doctor is on hand, and in the blink of an eye the doll is as good as new. However as soon as the guests have left the party strange things begin to happen.
The ballet is set in 1890s Germany and the traditional setting is perfectly captured by Julia Trevelyan’s magical stage designs. Wright’s choreography is equally good, managing to convey the enchantment and magic of the story in a series of elegantly plotted dances.
The production is full of breathtaking moments and set pieces. Explosions, characters taking flight, and magic tricks are all handled with equal aplomb however these spectacular moments are never allowed to overshadow the central story. Indeed, in the midst of all the effects and technical wizardry it is the simplest moments that work best.
This is true of the Waltz of the Snowflakes, a beautifully choreographed scene which has been masterfully recreated from details of the original choreography used in the 1892 production. The waltz is one of the highlights of the production.
As ballet in London goes, this is as good as it gets. Peter Wright’s Nutcracker is a triumph and it continues to delight audiences wherever it goes.
Peter Wright’s the Nutcracker is at the London Coliseum from the 16th of December 2021 until the 8th of January 2022.
For more information about the performance, please click here.
For more information about ballet in London, please click here.
