‘Twas the night before Christmas, when all through the house
Not a creature was stirring, not even a mouse;…
The children were nestled all snug in their beds;
While visions of sugar-plums danced in their heads.
– From A Visit from St. Nicholas – Clement Clarke Moore
Scottish Ballet first staged 'The Nutcracker' in December 1973, choreographed by the founder, Peter Darrell, who narrated the enchanting fairytale through the eyes of Clara, and following recent revivals, Christopher Hampson has now refreshed this Christmas classic with innocent childlike vision and sumptuous style.
A flurry of snowflakes sets a Dickensian winter scene as a young boy tries to peek through the window of a grand house where Colonel Stahlbaum and family are hosting a Christmas Eve party. The door opens and elegant guests are welcomed into an ornate drawing room with chandelier, velvet drapes and a tall candle-lit Tree. Presents are formally given to the children and Clara is thrilled with her red Nutcracker Doll, skipping around with glee while her brother Fritz and the boys run around banging drums and eating sweets.
Drosselmeyer the magician stands centre stage, swirling her blue silk cloak with glamorous theatricality as she entertains the guests with a flourish of playing cards and handkerchiefs in fast-fingered tricks. As the party comes to a close, the guests bid farewell, but later, at the bewitching hour of midnight, Clara sneaks downstairs to find her Nutcracker and falls asleep clutching her new toy.
Clara’s dream is dramatised on stage as she ‘awakes’ to find her Nutcracker is transformed into a handsome red-coated Prince and together they help an army of toy soldiers fight off the nasty King Rat. A mischief of cute, long tailed mice performed by eight children steal the show with charming, cheeky characterisation, carrrying chunks of cheese, apple cores and giant Quality Street sweets.
We follow Clara and the Prince as they travel by sleigh to the Land of Ice and Snow where a dome of arches depicts a cathedral of glistening frost. Here the Snow Queen is gracefully danced by Gina Scott, surrounded by a flutter of Snowflake Fairies who slide and glide like skaters. As if inside a snow globe, this is a glorious winter landscape where the synchronicity of each en pointe step, pin points every flowing note of music.
Act II opens to a glittering backdrop of 4,500 Christmas Tree baubles in the Land of Sweets, the Realm of the Sugar Plum Fairy. Chocolate, candy and tea from Europe, Russia and China are presented with new culturally-appropriate Divertissements choreographed by members of the company from exuberant clowning to foot tapping Spanish rhythm and a jolly hornpipe jig: Jessica Fyfe was inspired by Edgar Degas’ iconic Ballerina paintings for the trio of dancers dressed in pink feathery frocks for her delightfully witty ‘French Bon Bons.’
The majestic Pas de Deux between the Nutcracker Prince and the Sugar Plum Fairy is performed by Nicol Edmonds and Marge Hendrick to Tchaikovsky’s Adagio, a soulful cello melody complementing each pirouette and acrobatic, high-flying lift with elegant poise and precision.
On the first night in Edinburgh, Esme Norohna plays the little girl Clara with such confidence, both as a dancer and actress, totally immersed in the adventure with a wide-eyed sense of wonder. Lez Brotherston’s superb set design take us on a magical journey as the fairytale fantasy comes to life on stage through the sublime score, creative choreography, colourful characterisation, elaborate costumes and sprinkle of light hearted humour.
‘The Nutcracker’ is once again a joyful, sparkling and utterly romantic theatrical treat for all ages. Let it snow, let it snow, let it snow.!
Show Times:
Edinburgh Festival Theatre, 8th to 18th January 2025
Eden Court, Inverness, 22nd to the 25th January 2025
His Majesty’s Theatre, Aberdeen, 29th January to 1st February 2025
Theatre Royal, Newcastle, 6th to 8th February 2025
https://www.capitaltheatres.com/whats-on/all-shows/scottish-ballet-the-nutcracker/2299
https://scottishballet.co.uk/whats-on/the-nutcracker/