Peter Darrell's The Nutcracker Returns This Christmas

On an unusually warm September day, it was particularly strange to be surrounded by Christmas baubles and a richly decorated tree. But that was the scene set for the launch of the revival of The Nutcracker, the Christmas classic that was created for Scotland by Scottish Ballet’s founding Artistic Director, Peter Darrell.

With seats set out on the EFT stage, an invited audience was greeted by Duncan Hendry chief executive of the Festival City Theatres Trust and education manager Catherine Cassidy. In this intimate, relaxed atmosphere Scottish ballet Artistic Director Christopher Hampson went on to introduce proceedings. The two principal dancers in the show are Christopher Harrison and Sophie Martin, who performed a stunning pas de deux to a rendition of The Proclaimers' I’m Gonna Be (500 Miles) by Sleeping At Last at the opening of the Commonwealth Games. Under Hampson’s direction they treated the audience to a brief but spell binding live rehearsal that showed their gorgeous, awe inspiring physical prowess.

These skills will be used to tell the story of Nutcracker that is after a fun-filled Christmas party full of magic and celebrations, young Clara falls asleep and dreams that she helps the Nutcracker Prince to defeat an army of giant mice. She is rewarded by a visit to the glittering Land of Ice and Snow where snowflakes come to life sparkling as they dance and the magical Kingdom of Sweets - the enchanted Realm of the beautiful Sugar Plum Fairy.

Over 40 year since its première, this Victorian frosted doily of a show designed by Lez Brotherston and with live accompaniment of Tchaikovsky score the from the Scottish Ballet Orchestra opens for a three week run at the Festival Theatre on 13 December 2014. Get the smelling salts ready for this heady show!

Touring - Festival Theatre Edinburgh (13 December 2014 - 3 January 2015), Theatre Royal Glasgow (7 - 10 January 2015), His Majesty's Theatre Aberdeen (14 - 17 January 2015), Eden Court Inverness (21 - 24 January 2015) and Theatre Royal Newcastle (11 - 14 February 2015).