NBT’s Nutcracker enchants at Palace, 23 Nov

Northern Ballet Theatre will bring to life everyone’s favourite festive story with the revival of The Nutcracker slighttly early at Manchester Palace Theatre this November.

This is a seasonal favourite told in a traditional way. It is one of the world’s favourite ballets and has delighted audiences, young and old, for over 100 years. It serves as the perfect introduction to classical ballet and suits fans of all ages.

Amidst the Christmas commotion the fire crackles and the pile of presents grows ever higher. As the clock strikes midnight Clara’s Nutcracker doll proves to be no ordinary toy. Clara is swept away by her Nutcracker prince into a magical winter wonderland of dancing snowflakes and the famous Sugar Plum Fairy.

David Nixon, OBE, has set his version of The Nutcracker in the Regency period. The festivities of the season are captured by Charles Cusick Smith’s beautiful set designs, Nixon’s vivid costumes, and Mark Jonathan’s lighting. The score is by Pyotr Ilyich Tchaikovsky, arranged by John Longstaff and performed live by the Northern Ballet Sinfonia.

Nixon says: “People like to return to The Nutcracker because it reminds them of childhood and that magical time when your dreams can become reality.”

Northern Ballet Theatre’s The Nutcracker is at the Palace Theatre from 23 – 27 November.