Nutcracker!

Synopsis

This delicious theatrical feast has family-sized helpings of Matthew Bourne’s trademark wit, pathos and magical fantasy. Nutcracker! follows Clara’s bittersweet journey from a hilariously bleak Christmas Eve at Dr. Dross’ Orphanage, through a shimmering, ice-skating winter wonderland to the scrumptious candy kingdom of Sweetieland.

Our Review:

Karen Bussell - 25 April 2012

Proving Tchaikovsky's The Nutcracker is not just for Christmas, Matthew Bourne’s adaptation is exquisite and fun.

Transposing the Act 1 setting from a sumptuous bourgeoisie drawing room to an austere orphanage, the New Adventure company portrays the hard-done-by children in delightful, quirky detail. That is what we expect from Bourne – characters beautifully described in dance and physical expression.

There is still a party but here the presents and paper chains are only for show and are packed away the moment the governors leave the building.

There is action aplenty – great set pieces and fun background moments with relationships developing and characters explored while the grim Mr and Mrs Dross (tremendous performances, both as the Drosses and the oily King Sherbert and Queen Candy, from Daniel Wright and Madelaine Brennan) creepily wield their power while their obnoxious offspring bully and wreak havoc.

Clara (a touchingly na...

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