The Nutcracker

Published Thursday 13 December 2007 at 13:00 by Katie Colombus

The Nutcracker is a ballet so many times transformed, altered and rearranged that many have forgotten the original tale.

Thankfully, the Royal Ballet has whisked their creation back to the Lev Ivanov’s 1892 version, based on ETA Hoffman’s 1816 narrative, Nussknacker und Mausekonig.

Set in the winter wonderland of Nuremberg, turquoise-caped sorcerer and god-like orchestrator of the magic Drosselmeyer (Alastair Marriott), a magician and automata, is invited to the Stahlbaum’s Christmas party, where he presents Clara (Gemma Bond) with a nutcracker. The nutcracker is actually Hans-Peter (Zachary Faruque), Drosselmeyer’s nephew, who was turned into a nutcracker by the Queen of the Mice after his uncle built a trap that killed off all the mice in the palace. He and Clara embark on a voyage and familiar scenes are played out to this enchanting and popular score.

Long-forgotten choreography is wondrously performed, most notably The Waltz of the Snowflakes, reconstructed from choreographic notation made in St Petersburg before the First World War. Layered tableaux perfectly capture the spirit of the German romantic movement on a softly lit stage, full and sparkling with ethereal beings, the stage a-flutter with snow and the corps de ballet.

Clara and the nutcracker’s pas de deux, surrounded by angels, a snow-covered forest of fir trees and twinkling stars in a blue night sky, is a particular high point. Snow falls upon flame-haired, red-velvet skirted angels with gold-encrusted wings and crowns. They glide across the stage as glittering snowflakes flit with delicate hand and wrist flourishes, while Clara and the nutcracker arabesque and pirouette as if ice-skating around a lake. A chorus of soprano voices add to the magic of the music.

This is a richly classical production, but with modern aspects. Whilst the fantastical tale of supernatural events that we are so acquainted with unfold, we are told a story that hangs together well and is perfectly created by its characters.

The Royal Ballet’s Nutcracker is so much more than just a delightful production for children. Whilst simple enough for younger audience members to understand, this version is also sophisticated enough for adults.