Culture Editors Charlotte George and Halima Ahad attend Sir Peter Wright’s production of The Nutcracker, both leaving feeling mesmerised by the magic of this timeless Christmas classic
Perspective One: Halima Ahad
Sir Peter Wright’s The Nutcracker is a spellbinding and mesmerizing ballet show. The production was full-scale and there was nothing director Carlos Acosta missed. This was my first time seeing ballet live in person at the Birmingham Hippodrome but I certainly know it will not be my last. I was immersed in every aspect of the show where there was a huge amount of escapism to be found to my surprise.
In Act I, the story perfectly follows the traditional whilst also turning this on its head in the most bewitching way. It is Christmas Eve and the Stahlbaum family are having a party in which all of their friends are invited. Magician Drosselmeyer is also invited and plays magic tricks and gives presents to the little children present at the party.
I was immersed in every aspect of the show where there was a huge amount of escapism to be found to my surprise.
Clara is given a special present, a wooden nutcracker doll. Clara is unable to sleep that night and comes down to the living room where strange and mysterious things begin to happen. Rats begin to leap out of the fireplace but the toy soldiers come to life and save her. The Nutcracker is in trouble so Clara hits the Rat King and the rats run away.
The Nutcracker comes to life and transforms into a handsome prince who dances with Clara. He then takes her to the Land of Snow where she meets the Snow Fairy who uses her magic to make it snow. In Act II, Clara rides a magical bird to a fantastical land and the magician Drosselmeyer introduces her to amazing people. The Rat King follows Clara but is unsuccessful as the Prince defeats him and takes him away in a cage.
Drosselmeyer uses his magic to turn Clara into the Sugar Plum Fairy, the ballerina of her dreams. The Sugar Plum Fairy and the Prince dance together and at the end of their dance, the magic fades away and everything returns to normal. Clara wakes up and wonders if all of this was a big adventure or merely a dream.
Tchaivosky’s beautiful score comes to life as the orchestra and choir played tune to these timeless pieces perfectly. I had many favourite moments from the whole of the show but my favourite score was the Dance of the Mirlitons, particularly the Russian Dance, in which everyone came together to show their immense talent and fantastic choreography.
Tchaivosky’s beautiful score comes to life as the orchestra and choir played tune to these timeless pieces perfectly.
The use of formations and choreography created an intriguing viewing experience. Clara was such a significant character throughout each of the acts and scenes. As Sofia Linares tells the Hippodrome, “the special thing about Clara is that she gets to be a part of each character.” Near the end of the show, the choreography and formation of the Sugar Plum Fairy Variation as well as the grand pas de deux, was absolutely immaculate and showcased the true meaning of Christmas spirit.
Overall, The Nutcracker is definitely one of my favourite ballets. There is nothing I can fault within this ballet show and the hypnotic, immersive set design tops it all off. The riveting choreography from all of the dancers showcased the art-form at its best whilst the production illustrated precisely why we should never take it for granted.
Rating: 5/5
Perspective Two: Charlotte George
Yesterday evening at the Birmingham Hippodrome, I was fortunate enough to watch Sir Peter Wright’s beloved classic The Nutcracker, and I was not disappointed. From the beauty and eloquence of the dancers, to the harmonious orchestra and angelic choir, and the vibrant newly restored scenery designs, The Nutcracker truly brought the magic of Christmas spirit alive.
Despite, the huge success of Sir Peter Wright’s original interpretation of The Nutcracker from 1984, Sir Peter decided to revise The Nutcracker when he became director of Birmingham Royal Ballet. This adaption gives Clara a much more prominent role; she is now a 15-year-old ballet student and the whole story represents Clara’s dream, where she is inspired by the gift of a nutcracker doll from magician, Drosselmeyer, and is transported to a magical world.
The Nutcracker truly brought the magic of Christmas spirit alive.
In this magical world, Clara gets to meet dancers from many different worlds, including the Mirlitons, Rose Fairies, Spanish Dancers, and an Arabian prince and princess. As opposed to Clara in other productions, where she would watch the dancers performances, Clara participated in each style of dance, and in Act I performed a huge pas de deux with the Prince. Clara’s technique, stamina and musicality could not be faulted, and it was clear that this heroine was a mid-to-senior ranked dancer, unlike Clara in other productions.
This adaption of The Nutcracker is also portrayed through the modernisation of the scenery design and costumes for the Snowflakes, Columbine and Harlequin, and the Sugar Plum Fairy. The beautiful sets and costumes originated from Sir Peter Wright’s production of The Nutcracker from 1990, and thus it is no surprise they required revitalisation. For most scenes, the whole stage was transformed with different set designs, and this really made each world more realistic. For most scenes, the whole stage was transformed with different set designs, and this really made each world more realistic.
The Nutcracker highlights that ballet is not only traditionally classical but can be realised in many different forms.
I also appreciated the variety of ballet choreography within this masterpiece; from the breath-taking flexibility in a full arabesque from the Arabian princess, to the sonorous rhythmic beats in the Russian dance, The Nutcracker highlights that ballet is not only traditionally classical but can be realised in many different forms.
Sir Peter Wright’s, The Nutcracker is an astonishing production. The spellbinding choreography, melodious memorable music scores, and colour palette of the costumes and scenery, captivates the audience into Clara’s dream world. It is not surprising that there was a standing ovation from the audience. I could not recommend this performance enough and I certainly do hope to make The Nutcracker an annual Christmas tradition of mine.
Rating 5/5
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