Nutcracker

Published Monday 4 February 2008 at 10:30 by Natalie Anglesey

The Chisinau National Ballet redeems its reputation with a sparkling production of this classic fairy-tale with challenging choreography by Grigorovich.

After a thirty year period, when his work was not seen in this country, Yuri Grigorovich gave permission, in 2001, for the Chisinau National Ballet, under the auspices of Ellen Kent International, to use this version of his work which he dedicated to the children of Moldova. Although it possesses an old-fashioned, beguiling charm laced with humour, nevertheless the choreography, demands excellence to do it justice.

Set in the 1840s, in a wealthy home in Germany, the Regency style costumes look good and the whole standard of dance was much improved on the start of the week. The rest of the production, with its magical transformation scene, works a treat.

Undoubtedly the strength of this company lies with the principals led strongly by Kristina Terentieva as a delightful Marie. She is totally believable as the little girl who is transformed, in her adolescent dream, into the Prince’s beautiful bride. Alexei Terentiev shines as the handsome Nutcracker Prince and the series of breath-taking lifts during their pas de deux brought spontaneous applause from the impressed balletomanes.

Kristina Surucheanu deserves a mention because of her expertise as the Nutcracker Doll, whilst Natalia Balan and Dmitri Lisitchenko as the Indian Dolls and Ana Doia and Arkadii Nazarenko as the Chinese Dolls all proved popular.

This appeared a completely refreshed company and the enchanted audience gave it the warm reception it rightly deserved.