The Nutcracker

Synopsis

This enchanting story tells the tale of how Clara is given a wooden nutcracker as a Christmas present by Dr Drosselmeyer. During the Christmas party Clara and her brother Fritz fight over the nutcracker doll. Later that night Clara wakes and looks for the Nutcracker doll. When the clock strikes twelve, giant mice appear and fight with the toy soldiers. The nutcracker doll comes to life and joins in the battle. Clara finally kills the King Mouse with her shoe and The Nutcracker Doll is transformed into a handsome prince who takes Clara through the land of snow to the Kingdom of Sweet and the Palace of the Sugar Plum Fairy.

Our Review:

John Dixon - 3 February 2010

Scottish Ballet take a fresh look at The Nutcracker in this version by Ashley Page, with the story set in decadent 1920s Germany. Having first been performed in 2003 it is now revived for a new tour, with only slight changes from its conception seven years ago.

In the prologue we see a front cloth showing a girl lying back reading a book, inside a cut away section of her head we see Drosselmeyer, a clockmaker and Godfather to the Stahlbaum children. The story then moves to outside of the Stahlbaum house where the father and children are bringing home a Christmas tree. Then the front of their home opens like a story book and we find a party in full swing, oddly it takes around ten minutes before any actual ballet takes place.

When Drosselmeyer arrives at the party and gives the children a gift of a toy soldier, The Nutcracker, and a book, finally the ballet gets under way. As usual with the Scottish Ballet, the dancing cannot be faulted as we enter the world of...

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