The Nutcracker
Christopher Hampson brings a fresh approach to the seasonal favourite. In this lively production there is no Victorian nostalgia but uncluttered modern settings and bright costumes by cartoonist Gerald Scarfe.
A Christmas get together of relations, ghastly Grandpa (Adam Pudney) and his girlfriend Mrs V Aggra (Jane Haworth), start the show with humour. The magical character Drosselmeyer, fantastically performed by Fabian Reimair, produces wondrous toys such as the Pierrot of Juan Rodriguez that engage the many children in the audience, carrying them through the story with the central character of Clara, danced with a light grace by Erina Takahashi. The Christmas tree grows and battle commences between the brave Nutcracker of Arionel Vargas and Max Westwell’s Mouse King. Snowflakes flutter and Jack Frosts leap out of a giant fridge, swirling and floating across the stage in graceful formations. Delicious dancers perform in the Kingdom of Sweets. The gorgeous Sugar Plum Fairy of Agnes Oaks, partnered by her husband Thomas Edur as the dashing Prince, dance with classical precision. With a martial arts Chinese takeaway by Juan Rodrigues and Daniel Kraus, the Russian Bear of Yat-Sen Chang performing gravity defying leaps, and Begona Cao in a sensuous dance, surrounded with men manipulating feather fans, all make this is an engaging scene.
Like myself some years ago, The Nutcracker also marks the stage debut of a number of children from the Arts Educational School performing with glee.
English National Ballet brings modern enchantment to a seasonal favourite.
Production information
- By:
- Pyotr Ilyich Tchaikovsky
- Management:
- English National Ballet
- Cast:
- Fernanda Olivieira, Erina Takahashi, Yosvani Ramos, Arionel Vargas, Agnes Oaks, Daria Klimentova, Thomas Edur, Dmitri Gruzdyev, Yat Sen Chang, Simone Clarke, Ceasr Morales, Sarah McIlroy, Zhanat Atymtayev (2005)/Elena Glurdjidze (December 17, 19), Arionel Vargas (December 17, 19, 27), Venus Villa (December 17, 28, 30), Anton Lukovkin (December 17, 28-30), Erina Takahashi (December 17, 19), Dmitri Gruzdyev (December 17, 19, 21, 23), Crystal Costa (December 17-18, 20, 30), Yat-Sen Chang (December 17-18, 20), Asta Bazeviciute (December 18, 26), Zhanat Atymtayev (December 18, 26), Senri Kou (December 18, 20), Nicholas Reeves (December 18, 20), Agnes Oaks (December 18, 20), Thomas Edur (December 18, 20), Kei Akahoshi (December 19, 21, 27), Max Westwell (December 19, 21, 27), Lisa Probert (December 19, 23-24, 26-27, 29), Fabian Reimair (December 19, 23-24, 26-27, 29), Anais Chalendard (December 20, 29), Junor Oliveira de Souza (December 20, 29), Fernanda Oliveira (December 21, 23), Sarah McIlroy (December 23, 27), Desiree Ballantyne (December 23, 26, 29), Daniel Kraus (December 23, 26, 29), Daria Klimentova (December 24, 26), James Forbat (December 28, 30) (2008)
- Design:
- Gerald Scarfe
- Lighting:
- John Rayment
- Choreography:
- Christopher Hampson
Production information can change over the run of the show.
Run sheet
- Coliseum London
- December 19-23, 26-30, January 2- 6, December 17-30 2008
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